This is a tragic situation. IV meds and/or infusions are quickly sent down
into the smaller arterioles and then the capillaries extremely rapidly. Any
meds are not adequately diluted by the normal hemodilution as meds travel
towards greater and greater blood flow as it approaches the SVC. Instead
these concentrated meds can sclerose the smaller and smaller vessels and
cause severe venospasm as well. The thrombotic results and the chemical
damage results in tissue and limb loss. It can be just one dose of drug.
We had a patient over 15 years ago where the doctor placed an needle in the
antecube and gave just one dose of IV demerol. He injected it into the
artery rather than a vein and the resulting damage was complete lower arm
loss in a very young woman.
Nadine Nakazawa, RN
PICC Program Coordinator
Stanford Hospital
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: Arterial sticks need help
Date: Fri, 9 Jun 2006 21:28:58 EDT
A friend was stuck accidently in the radial artery by the ambulance person.
It went unnoticed for a while HR or so and was DC'd How he has no pulse and
a
black hand. The surgen tried to open it back up without success.
Any thoughts here.
Thanks,
Raina Pegg RN
