What happens if dopamine infiltrates

Discussion: Dopamine infusion can cause tissue ischemia or necrosis secondary to vasospasm and extravasation. Most of the case reports in the literature have occurred when relatively high doses of dopamine were infused. Only one reported extravasation-induced injury with low-dose dopamine. Although low-dose dopamine has a vasodilatory effect in selected tissues, high concentrations achieved locally as a result of extravasation can still cause severe vasoconstriction and ischemic tissue injury.

Conclusions: Low-dose dopamine therapy should be administered with similar precautions as high-dose dopamine. The vascular surgeon spoke with the hospitalist over the phone and looked at pics the hospitalist sent him. About 2 hours after the regitine was administered, the patient stated the pain in her right hand had eased but not resolved completely, and the amount of tightness in the right arm decreased slightly. The cath lab maintained their story that the dopamine was infusing to the left hand not the RAC - which is a problem in itself.

Does anyone have any information on the administration of regitine into an area without any dopamine infiltration? Any comments or thoughts are welcome.

Just a side note, I have personally received two separate patients from our cath lab with a dopamine infiltration without any communication of the event from the cath lab team. However, in those instances, I was able to administer the regitine in a more timely fashion.

Sign In Register Now! Increased Vein Porosity Usually due to inflammation, which widens the gaps between cells of the vein wall, allowing fluid to leak out. Signs Left untreated and unchecked, IV infiltration can lead to excessive fluid in one or more compartments of the arm, causing damage to nerves, arteries, and muscles.

Some major signs of infiltration and extravasation include: Swelling at or near the IV site. The skin will feel tight and cool to the touch. Some patients experience intense pain or burning while others may just feel slight discomfort. Skin discoloration Numbness Impaired blood circulation The symptoms a patient experiences often depends on the severity and length of the infiltration.

Compartment Syndrome Skin Burns Necrosis Amputation Permanent Nerve Injury Medication Dosing Errors Complications from infiltrations and extravasations can include: Compartment Syndrome Compartment syndrome is a painful and dangerous condition caused by pressure buildup from internal bleeding or swelling of tissues. Medication dosing errors Delivering drugs or fluids directly into the vein is a fast and effective way to administer medications to a patient.

Treatment If you think you are experiencing an infiltration or extravasation, tell the nurse or doctor immediately if you experience any pain, swelling, or tenderness. Your clinician will likely do the following: Stop the infusion Remove the IV Mark the outline affected area with a marker Photograph the affected area Apply a hot or cold compress based on the type of IV fluid infiltrated Elevate the extremity Inject medication into the subcutaneous tissue Aftercare Management Continue to use cold or hot compresses as directed by the clinician.

Rest and elevate the arm to reduce swelling and pain. Protect the area from sunlight. Check with the doctor about what hygiene products can be used on the area. If you observe a fever and other signs of infection or if swelling or damage gets worse and pain increases, let the clinician know.

IV Infiltration Prevention Be careful not to make any sudden movements during iv insertion and during iv therapy. Stay hydrated before and throughout the duration of the IV therapy. Make the doctor or nurse aware of any chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension that may change the vein structure. This article was reviewed by a team of clinicians for accuracy. IV infiltrations and extravasations can be caused in a few different ways. Compartment Syndrome Compartment syndrome is a painful and dangerous condition caused by pressure buildup from internal bleeding or swelling of tissues.

Your clinician will likely do the following: Stop the infusion Remove the IV Mark the outline affected area with a marker Photograph the affected area Apply a hot or cold compress based on the type of IV fluid infiltrated Elevate the extremity Inject medication into the subcutaneous tissue. Aftercare Management Continue to use cold or hot compresses as directed by the clinician.