Phlebitis

Phlebitis
Specialty	Phlebology

Phlebitis is an inflammation of a vein, usually in the legs.

When phlebitis is associated with the formation of blood clots (thrombosis), usually in the deep veins of the legs, the condition is called thrombophlebitis. These clots can travel to the lungs, causing pulmonary embolisms that can be fatal.

Etiology

Vasculitis:

• Bacterial: Pathogenic organisms can gain access and stimulate inflammation.
• Chemical: caused by irritating or vesicant solutions.
• Mechanical: physical trauma from the skin puncture and movement of the cannula into the vein during insertion; any subsequent manipulation and movement of the cannula; clotting; or excessively large cannula.
• Medications including celecoxib, olanzapine, antidepressants, and others.
• Genetic as it is known to run in families.
• Alcohol abuse
• Drug abuse: Specifically Krokodil.

Signs and symptoms

• Redness (erythema) and warmth with a temperature elevation of a degree or more above the baseline
• Pain or burning along the length of the vein
• Swelling (edema)
• Vein being hard, and cord-like
• If occurring due to an intravenous infusion line, then decrease the infusion rate

Massage

• This condition is considered a contraindication; therefore, no massage should be conducted as the nature of massage manipulations risks breaking loose a clot which could then travel to the lungs (pulmonary embolism) or the heart.

History

• Condition first described by John Hunter in 1784

See also

• Collapsed vein

References

Intravenous Infusion Therapy for Nurses (Second Edition) by Dianne L. Josephson (ISBN 1-4018-0935-9)

John Hunter, “Observations on the Inflammation of the Internal Coats of Veins,” Transactions of a Society for the Improvement of Medical and Chirurgical Knowledge, vol. 1 (London: 1793) pp. 18-29

External links

• Phlebitis at MotherNature.com
• eMedicine Health: Phlebitis provides an overview of phlebitis and its causes, symptoms, and treatment.