“Incidence of peripheral venous thrombophlebitis in geriatric patients in critical care unit: A prospective observational studyâ€

Peripheral venous catheters (PVC) are mostcommonly used invasive devices in critical care unit. Insertion of PVC causeslocal inflammation of veins and thrombus formation i.e. thrombophlebitis. Itmay lead to other complications like pain, anxiety, and therapy interruptionand can potentially lead to serious complications (e.g pulmonary embolism, deepvein thrombosis, septicemia, formation of nodule and cellulitis, skin necrosis,infective endocarditis).[1-4] The incidence of thrombophlebitisphlebitis is around 7–44% in PVC. [5-8] Geriatric patients oftenpresent with vein stiffness, either as a result of clinical conditions such asatherosclerosis or other conditions brought on by aging. Furthermore, theyoften present a pathology requiring the use of anticoagulants. In these cases, it may be hard to place a peripheralvenous catheter due to the fragility of vein walls, and may be damagedmore easily. Furthermore, the risk of phlebitis is significantly higher inthese patients. It must be remembered that elderly patients are more likely to suffer infections due tothe natural deterioration of their immune system. Increasing hygiene anddisinfection measures and looking out for any symptoms of thrombophlebitis iscrucial in these cases.

So, we decided to study incidence of PVCinduced thrombophlebitis in geriatric patients in critical care unit.