Hydrocortisone, heparin, and peripheral intravenous infusion

Area of Science:

• Vascular Medicine
• Pharmacology
• Clinical Nutrition

Background:

• Peripheral intravenous nutrition is essential for patients unable to consume food orally.
• Thrombophlebitis, or vein inflammation, is a common complication of peripheral intravenous therapy.
• Identifying effective preventative measures for thrombophlebitis is crucial for patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of adding low-dose hydrocortisone and heparin to peripheral intravenous fluids.
• To determine the impact of these additives on the incidence and severity of thrombophlebitis.

Main Methods:

• A comparative study involving surgical and ear, nose, and throat patients receiving peripheral intravenous nutrition.
• Two infusates were used: one with heparin (500 U/L) and hydrocortisone (10 mg/L) (feed A), and a control without additives (feed B).
• Infusions were administered using a Y-line setup.

Main Results:

• The addition of heparin and hydrocortisone to peripheral intravenous fluids significantly decreased the occurrence of thrombophlebitis.
• The severity of thrombophlebitis was also notably reduced in patients receiving the supplemented fluids.
• Feed A demonstrated a significant protective effect against thrombophlebitis compared to feed B.

Conclusions:

• Low-dose hydrocortisone and heparin are effective in preventing thrombophlebitis associated with peripheral intravenous fluid administration.
• The combination of heparin and hydrocortisone offers a beneficial strategy for reducing complications in patients requiring peripheral intravenous nutrition.
• This finding supports the routine use of these additives to improve patient outcomes and reduce the incidence of vein inflammation.