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Thrombophlebitis after intravenous diazepam--can it be prevented?
Anesthesia and Analgesia
|May 1, 1977
Summary
Intravenous diazepam causes significant vein damage, including inflammation and thrombosis, in rats. Dilution or lidocaine combination did not mitigate these detrimental vascular effects.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Biology
- Pharmacology
- Histopathology
Background:
- Intravenous (IV) diazepam can cause pain and thrombophlebitis.
- The underlying mechanism and histological changes are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the pathogenesis of IV diazepam-induced vascular injury.
- To determine if dilution or lidocaine can minimize these effects.
Main Methods:
- Adult female rats received IV diazepam, vehicle, lidocaine, diazepam with lidocaine, or saline.
- Vascular tissue was examined using light microscopy.
Main Results:
- IV diazepam caused marked inflammation, edema, and polymorphonuclear infiltration.
- Intravascular thrombosis and vein-wall destruction were observed.
- Diazepam vehicle and diluted diazepam also induced alterations; lidocaine did not reduce inflammation.
Conclusions:
- Intravascular diazepam rapidly induces detrimental morphologic alterations in veins.
- Dilution or co-administration with lidocaine does not prevent these vascular injuries.
- The diazepam vehicle may contribute to vascular damage.