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Updated: Jun 3, 2025

Continuous Manual Exchange Transfusion for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: An Efficient Method to Avoid Iron Overload
Published on: March 14, 2017
Addressing Venous Extravasation, a Concern in Intravenous Iron Administration
Catarina F Almeida1, Soraia Carvalho1, Alexandre Sarmento1
1Immunohemotherapy Department, Unidade de Saúde Local da Região de Aveiro, Aveiro, PRT.
Intravenous iron can cause rare skin discoloration from venous extravasation. Recognizing this uncommon side effect is crucial for patients and healthcare providers to ensure better outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Internal Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Intravenous iron is a standard treatment for anemia of chronic illness.
- Venous extravasation is an uncommon but recognized complication of intravenous infusions.
Observation:
- A case report details a female patient experiencing persistent skin discoloration after intravenous iron administration.
- The discoloration was attributed to venous extravasation during the infusion process.
Findings:
- Venous extravasation, though rare, is a potential adverse effect of intravenous iron therapy.
- This complication can lead to long-term cosmetic issues such as persistent skin discoloration.
Implications:
- Healthcare providers must be vigilant for signs of venous extravasation during intravenous iron administration.
- Patient education and adherence to infusion protocols are vital to mitigate risks and improve outcomes.
- Early recognition and management of extravasation can prevent persistent complications.
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