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Studies in phlebitis. IV: Injection rate and amiodarone-induced phlebitis
1Department of Pharmaceutical Science, College of Pharmacy University of Arizona, Tucson.
Journal of Parenteral Science and Technology : a Publication of the Parenteral Drug Association
|January 1, 1993
Summary
Injection rate significantly impacts amiodarone HCl-induced phlebitis in rabbits. The vehicle alone did not cause phlebitis, but thermal and visual assessments correlated strongly for both substances.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Vascular Biology
- Drug Delivery
Background:
- Phlebitis is a common complication associated with intravenous drug administration.
- Amiodarone HCl is an antiarrhythmic drug frequently administered intravenously.
- Understanding factors influencing amiodarone-induced phlebitis is crucial for patient safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between injection rate and the incidence/severity of injection phlebitis.
- To evaluate amiodarone HCl and its vehicle separately in a rabbit ear model.
- To correlate thermal and visual methods for phlebitis quantitation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a rabbit ear model for studying injection phlebitis.
- Administered amiodarone HCl and its vehicle at varying injection rates (0.02–3.0 ml/min).
- Quantitated phlebitis using thermal measurements and visual evaluations.
Main Results:
- The severity of phlebitis induced by amiodarone HCl was dependent on the injection rate.
- The vehicle alone did not induce phlebitis at any tested injection rate.
- A strong correlation was observed between thermal measurements and visual evaluations for both amiodarone HCl and its vehicle.
Conclusions:
- Injection rate is a critical factor in amiodarone HCl-induced phlebitis.
- The vehicle component of amiodarone HCl formulations does not appear to contribute to phlebitis.
- Thermal imaging provides a reliable method for assessing injection phlebitis, correlating well with visual assessment.