Phlebitis

Phlebitis or venitis is the inflammation of a vein, usually in the legs. It most commonly occurs in superficial veins. Phlebitis often occurs in conjunction with thrombosis and is then called thrombophlebitis or superficial thrombophlebitis. Unlike deep vein thrombosis, the probability that superficial thrombophlebitis will cause a clot to break up and be transported in pieces to the lung is very low.[1]

Phlebitis
Other namesDiseasesDB = 13043
Veins in the popliteal area
SpecialtyPhlebology 

Signs and symptoms
  • Localized redness and swelling
  • Pain or burning along the length of the vein
  • Vein being hard and cord-like[2]

There is usually a slow onset of a tender red area along the superficial veins on the skin. A long, thin red area may be seen as the inflammation follows a superficial vein. This area may feel hard, warm, and tender. The skin around the vein may be itchy and swollen. The area may begin to throb or burn. Symptoms may be worse when the leg is lowered, especially when first getting out of bed in the morning. A low-grade fever may occur. Sometimes phlebitis may occur where a peripheral intravenous line was started. The surrounding area may be sore and tender along the vein.[3]

Cause

Phlebitis is typically caused by local trauma to a vein, usually from the insertion of an intravenous catheter.[4] However, it can also occur due to a complication of connective tissue disorders such as lupus, or of pancreatic, breast, or ovarian cancers. Phlebitis can also result from certain medications and drugs that irritate the veins, such as desomorphine.[5]

Superficial phlebitis often presents as an early sign in thromboangiitis obliterans (Buerger's disease), a vasculitis that affects small and medium-sized arteries and veins in distal extremities often associated with cigarette smoking.[6]

Management

Treatment usually consists of NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and local compression (e.g., by compression stockings or a compress).[7] If the phlebitis is associated with local bacterial infection, antibiotics may be used.[8]

For acute infusion superficial thrombophlebitis, not enough evidence exists as of 2015 to determine treatment.[9]

See also

References
  1. Beckman, Joshua A. (22 October 2002). "Diseases of the Veins". Circulation. 106 (17): 2170–2172. doi:10.1161/01.CIR.0000036740.75461.80. PMID 12390942.
  2. Benjamin Wedro. "Phlebitis Symptoms". emedicinehealth. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  3. Ratini, Melinda (30 October 2020). "Phlebitis Basics". WebMD. Retrieved 2021-01-01.
  4. Benjamin Wedro. "Phlebitis Causes". emedicinehealth. Retrieved 30 May 2013.
  5. "Blood Clots - Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Diagnosis - Canoe.com". canoe.ca. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  6. "UpToDate". www.uptodate.com. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  7. Benjamin Wedro. "Phlebitis Treatment". emedicinehealth. Retrieved 30 May 2013.
  8. Benjamin Wedro. "Phlebitis Medical Treatment". emedicinehealth. Retrieved 30 May 2013.
  9. Di Nisio, M; Peinemann, F; Porreca, E; Rutjes, AW (20 November 2015). "Treatment for superficial infusion thrombophlebitis of the upper extremity" (PDF). The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 11 (11): CD011015. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD011015.pub2. PMC 6885032. PMID 26588711.

Further reading
  • 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
Classification
External resources
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