Earlier this week I received a call from a bedside nurse about a patient that receiving a heparin infusion and had been for the past four days. The PIV that the heparin was infusing into was in her right inner forearm. The vein proximal to the IV up to her antecubital had become darkened and appeared to have a shadow. It went up straight and then the vein bifurcated and both veins were like this. The patient stated there was no pain associated. The infusion was stopped and the PIV was flushed. When flushed, the discoloration disappeared but reappeared when the flush was done. She had no other medications infusing into the vein. I had them place a new IV for the infusion and it has not happened since. Has anyone else had this happen to them or know what would cause it? Someone mentioned that maybe the vein collapsed. I've never had that happen like this but, is this what happened?
Katie Torkelson, BSN, RN, VA-BC
IV Resource Nurse
Vasospasm causing pain, ischemia, and cyanosis can occur with heparin. Also cutaneous necrosis can also occur with heparin. HIT ahd HITT are caused by heparin. Any change in platelet count? Lynn
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, BC, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
126 Main Street, PO Box 10
Milner, GA 30257
Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com
Office Phone 770-358-7861
Platelets have remained around 150 for the past week or so.