Assessment by Ultrasound of the Degree of Venous Dilation, Comparison Between Venodilation by Airglove (TM) Versus Warm-water Immersion (WWI)

Failure to cannulate to gain intra-venous access is a common occurrence in patients undergoing chemotherapy, obese patients, intravenous drug users and those with chronic medical problems leading to peripheral venous collapse. Difficulty in gaining IV-access is a serious medical consequence since important life-saving drugs, fluids, blood transfusions, and other medication are usually given via the intravenous route. Most chemotherapy units in the UK rely on venous dilation by immersing the forearm of patients with "difficult to cannulate veins" (DTCV) into a bucket of warm water. There are however, limitations in this method such as controlling water temperature and ensuring proper sterility.

A new device Airglove™ has been developed which directs warm air over the forearm in a polythene sleeve causing venodilation. Preliminary studies in chemotherapy patients suggest that the Airglove™ causes venodilation to the extent of the warm water immersion technique, however further evidence is required with testing on normal healthy volunteers.

Aims and Objectives:

To determine whether Airglove™ warming device dilates upper limb veins to the same degree as the warm water immersion (WWI) method.