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The utilization of long nylon catheters for prolonged intravenous infusions
Insights
Longer plastic catheters placed in large central veins reduced complications like phlebitis during intravenous therapy. Nylon catheters in the basilic vein proved successful for extended infusions.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Access
- Infectious Disease Prevention
- Patient Safety
Background:
- Intravenous (IV) therapy is common, but complications like phlebitis occur frequently.
- A study of 300 patients found 90 experienced phlebitis, indicating a high complication rate.
- This necessitated investigating alternative IV catheter strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of long, central venous indwelling catheters in reducing IV therapy complications.
- To assess the impact of catheter material and tip placement on infusion success and safety.
Main Methods:
- One hundred and one patients received long nylon catheters inserted via cut-down into the basilic vein.
- Patients were categorized into four groups based on infusion duration: 1-7, 8-14, 15-28, and 29+ days.
- Complications such as phlebitis, obstruction, and infection were monitored.
Main Results:
- The most frequent complication was catheter obstruction due to clotted blood.
- Phlebitis required catheter removal in four patients; two were self-removed.
- No instances of catheter-related infection were observed during the study.
- Successful infusions were attributed to nylon catheter composition and central venous tip placement.
Conclusions:
- Long plastic catheters with tips in large central vessels, specifically nylon catheters in the basilic vein, appear to minimize complications.
- This approach offers a safer and more effective method for prolonged intravenous therapy.
- Further research into optimal catheter materials and placement is warranted.
Abstract:
A study of 300 patients receiving intravenous therapy showed that 90 had associated phlebitis. Because of this high rate of complications, the use of long plastic catheters, with the tip located in a large central vessel, was investigated. One hundred and one catheters were inserted into the basilic vein through a cut-down. The patients were divided into four groups: infusions lasting one to seven days, eight to 14 days, 15 to 28 days and 29 days or longer. The most common complication was obstruction of the catheter with clotted blood. In four patients the catheters had to be removed because of phlebitis; two were pulled out by the patients themselves. Infection was not observed. Two factors probably contributed to the successful infusions: the composition of the plastic catheters (nylon) and the location of the tip in a large central vessel.