Incidence and extent of venous sequelae with intravenous diazepam utilizing a standardized conscious sedation technique. Part II: Effects of injection site.

The effects of site of venipuncture on the incidence of venous sequelae, utilizing a standard protocol, were assessed on 48 human subjects. Data were also recorded based on various demographic and clinical variables, including age, sex, race, vein diameter, dose, procedure time, IV fluid volume, injection pain and initial blood flow velocity. When the site of venipuncture was the antecubital fossa there was a significantly lower incidence of venous sequelae than when the venipuncture site was the dorsum of the hand, with the significant variables being venous diameter and procedure time. These findings further support the antecubital fossa as a preferred venipuncture site to the dorsum of the hand; however, there was a sufficient incidence of venous complications (37%) when the antecubital fossa was used to warrant consideration of contributory factors other than site. It appears that time of continuous infusion is a critical element and should be kept at a minimum. Also, subjects in whom Valium was injected demonstrated significantly more venous sequelae than those in whom 5% dextrose in water was injected, confirming previous reports that diazepam is irritating to the endothelial lining and thus is thrombogenic.