To help practitioners prevent, recognise and successfully treat extravasation injuries from chemotherapy.

The position, size and age of the venepuncture site are the factors, which have greatest bearing on the likelihood of problems occurring. However, if the following points are borne in mind, the likelihood of extravasation can be significantly reduced.

• For slow infusion of high-risk drugs, a central line or PIC line should be used

• To ensure patency of a peripheral IV site, it is best to administer cytotoxics through a recently sited cannula. Site the cannula so it cannot become dislodged; use the forearm and avoid, if possible, sites near joints.

• Administer vesicants by slow IV push into the side-arm port of a fast-running IV infusion of compatible solution.

• The most vesicant drug should be administered first.

• Assess a peripheral site continually for signs of redness or swelling.

• Verify patency of the IV site prior to vesicant infusion and regularly throughout; if there are any doubts, stop and investigate. Resite the cannula if the patency of the cannulation is still not entirely satisfactory.

• Ask the patient to report any sensations of burning or pain in the infusion site. Some investigators suggest delaying the administration of antiemetics until after vesicant administration. The sedative and anti-inflammatory effects of antiemetics often mask the early warning signs of extravasation and may impede the patient’s ability to report any sensation at the infusion site.

• Never hurry. Administer drugs slowly to allow the drug to be diluted by the carrier solution and to allow careful assessment of the IV site.

• Document carefully the rate of administration, location and condition of site, verification of patency, and patient’s responses, on giving any potentially extravasable drugs.

• If vein diameter or vein collapse are a problem, then the use of glyceryl trinitrate patches distal to the cannula may be helpful.

• The patient complains of burning, stinging, pain or any acute change at the injection site. The patient is often the first person to become aware that something is wrong with their IV therapy, so instruct them at the beginning of treatment to inform staff of any acute change during treatment. Explain the reason for this in a way, which is not frightening but conveys the need for the patient’s input and participation. Give reassurance that, if a leakage of drug should occur, it would probably not cause serious problems if the infusion is promptly stopped and the correct treatment instituted. Patients who are unable to communicate should be closely observed

• Induration, erythema, venous discoloration or swelling is observed at the site (discoloration alone may not indicate extravasation as doxorubicin, epirubicin and mitozantrone have been reported to produce this)

• No blood return is obtained. A lack of blood return from the cannula is commonly quoted as a sign that extravasation has occurred. It is however, the most misleading of all signs and has been implicated in a number of serious incidences. This occurs because although there has been extravasation injury and the cannula has become displaced, the act of trying to draw blood back to test for blood return moves the cannula back into the vein. Thus blood is returned, however, there is a hole in the vein wall in the proximity of the cannula tip. So when administration recommences, a larger and more significant extravasation injury ensues. Alternatively, the bevel of the needle can puncture the vein wall during venepuncture, allowing drug to escape into the tissue whilst the lumen of the needle may still remain in the blood vessel and allow adequate blood return.

• The flow rate is reduced. A reduced rate may be observed when using an infusion pump, so close observation is necessary.

• Increased resistance to the administration, once possible changes in the position of the body e.g. bending of wrist or elbow, or cannula support e.g. the bandaging, have been excluded as possible causes of the increased resistance, then a displaced cannula and hence extravasation are the next most likely causes. This is often one of the first signs of a problem or of pre-extravasation syndrome.

• Once the alternative diagnoses have been considered and excluded and one or more of these symptoms are present, the practitioner should proceed on the basis of a diagnosis of extravasation.

Basic Treatment

 

Aspirate extravasation injuries and inject steroid hydrocortiscone subcutaneously to the affected area and IV if large-scale inflammation, flare or fracturing along the vein has occurred.

Treatment is then characterised as: -

• Normal saline
• Hyaluronidase
• Warm, continuous compression and elevation of limb

• It is vital to act promptly.
• Act in a manner that will not aggravate the injury but a manner that offers prompt first aid treatment.

1. Seek experienced assistance from someone used to looking at extravasation.
2. Stop infusion, disconnect the drip but….DO NOT REMOVE THE VENFLON.
3. Mark the extravasated area with a pen.
4. Aspirate the extravasated drug, trying also to draw some blood back from the cannula/venflon. This may be facilitated by s.c. injection of either 0.9% sodium chloride, to dilute the drug, or 1500 units of hyaluronidase in 2ml water for injection, to ‘open’ up the intracellular space.
5. Remove the venflon.
6. Give hydrocortisone (2ml) as 0.1-0.2ml sc injections at about 6 to 8 points around the circumference from the extravasation site.
7. Give 100mg hydrocortisone IV if large-scale inflammation, flare or fracturing along the vein has occurred. This should be administered via a new venflon, resited remotely from the extravasation area.
8. Consult the individual management chart for specific treatments, and/or the National Extravasation Information Service on 0121-554-3801 bleep3007 or www.extravasation.org.uk
9. Instruct the patient on the correct care of the site and on the use of any ongoing treatment. Analgesics may be required for pain management.
10. Complete the green card extravasation report card
11. Ensure that the extravasation is followed up. Counsel the patient that if the symptoms worsen in the following days then they should promptly contact their clinic or ward.

Please note that the groupings have been reversed as of October 2005 - this is in order to facilitate the formulation of a grading system for extravasation risk - the higher the grouping, the higher the risk of causing severe and serious tissue damage. For any queries, please contact Andrew Stanley.

DRUG

GROUP

ASPIRATE

And instill

steroids⁰⁰¹

'SPREAD’ AND DILUTE

SPECIFIC MANAGEMENT

INFORMATION

Aclarubicin

4

Apply topical DMSO, every 2 hours at the extravasation site followed by topical hydrocortisone cream and a cold compress.^{1 h}

Aldesleukin (IL-2)

1

Infiltrate the site with hyaluronidase ^a Apply heat and compression.^{2 g}

Amsacrine

5

Apply topical DMSO, every 2 hours at the extravasation site followed by topical hydrocortisone cream and a cold compress.^{1 h}

Asparaginase

1

Infiltrate the site with hyaluronidase ³ Apply heat and compression.^{2 g}

Bleomycin

1

Infiltrate the site with hyaluronidase.^a Apply heat and compression.^{2 g}

Carboplatin

3

^Yi

^Yi

Infiltrate the site with hyaluronidase.^a Followed by topical hydrocortisone and warm compression. ^{2 g}

Carmustine

5

Infiltrate with 2.1% sodium bicarbonate,^c leave for two minutes and aspirate off again.

Cisplatin

4

^Yi

^Yi

Infiltrate the site with 3% thiosulphate,^b aspirate back, then give hyualuronidase.^a Followed by topical hydrocortisone and warm compression.^{2 g}

Cladribine

1

Infiltrate the site with hyaluronidase.^a Apply heat and compression.^{2 g}

Cyclophosphamide

1

Infiltrate the site with hyaluronidase.^a Apply heat and compression.^{2 g}

Cytarabine

1

Infiltrate the site with hyaluronidase.^a Apply heat and compression.^{2 g}

Dacarbazine

5

Apply topical DMSO, every 2 hours at the extravasation site followed by topical hydrocortisone cream and a cold compress.^{1 h}

Avoid contact with good skin. If blistering occurs, stop the DMSO and seek further advice. Patients should avoid intense exposure of the effected area to sun light after extravasation. Surgical excision ^e is sometimes required to prevent serious damage

Dactinomycin

5

Y

Y

Apply topical DMSO, every 2 hours at the extravasation site followed by topical hydrocortisone cream and a cold compress.^{1 h}

Avoid contact with good skin. If blistering occurs, stop the DMSO and seek further advice. Surgical excision ^e is sometimes required to prevent serious damage

Daunorubicin

5

Apply topical DMSO, every 2 hours at the extravasation site followed by topical hydrocortisone cream and a cold compress.^{1 h}

Avoid contact with good skin. If blistering occurs, stop the DMSO and seek further advice. Surgical excision ^e is sometimes required to prevent serious damage

Daunorubicin Liposomal

4

Apply topical hydrocortisone and cover the area with an ice pack for up to 12 hours, ^h then at 8-12 hours post incidence apply DMSO 2 hourly for the next 24 hours.³

Avoid contact with good skin. If blistering occurs, stop the DMSO and seek further advice

Docetaxel

4

Infiltrate the area with a mixture ^d of hydrocortisone and chlorpheniramine as 0.2ml ‘pin cushion’ subcutaneous injections. Follow by hyaluronidase ^a and then warm compressions ^g alternated with the application of topical antihistamine cream.⁴ In severe cases 1g of oral sodium cromoglycate should be administered as soon as possible after the injury.

Doxorubicin

5

Apply topical DMSO, every 2 hours at the extravasation site followed by topical hydrocortisone cream and a cold compress.^{1 h}

Surgical excision ^e is sometimes required to prevent serious damage

DRUG

GROUP

ASPIRATE

And instill

steroids⁰⁰¹

'SPREAD’ AND DILUTE

SPECIFIC MANAGEMENT

INFORMATION

Doxorubicin Liposomal

4

Apply topical hydrocortisone and cover the area with an ice pack for up to 12 hours, ^h then at 8-12 hours post incidence apply DMSO 2 hourly for the next 24 hours.³

Avoid contact with good skin. If blistering occurs, stop the DMSO and seek further advice

Epirubicin

5

Apply topical DMSO, every 2 hours at the extravasation site followed by topical hydrocortisone and a cold compress.^{1 h}

Avoid contact with good skin. If blistering occurs, stop the DMSO and seek further advice. Sodium bicarbonate may have a role. Surgical excision ^e is sometimes required to prevent serious damage

Etoposide

3

Apply topical hydrocortisone and cover the area with an ice pack. ^{2 h}

Possibility of local inflammation or necrosis and/or pain . There are no specific antidotes.

Etoposide Phosphate

2

Apply topical hydrocortisone and cover the area with an ice pack ^h for the next 4 hours. If the local reaction has then settled apply heat ^g for a further 24 to 48 hours. ²

Possibility of local inflammation. S/C hyaluronidase may facilitate dispersion of large volume extravasations in addition to the warm compressions

Floxuridine

4

Infiltrate with sodium bicarbonate ^c into the area, followed by heat (i.e. warm compress ^g)

See ^j

Fludarabine

1

Infiltrate the site with hyaluronidase.^a Apply heat and compression.^{2 g}

DRUG

GROUP

ASPIRATE

And instill

steroids⁰⁰¹

'SPREAD’ AND DILUTE

SPECIFIC MANAGEMENT

INFORMATION

Fluorouracil

2

Apply topical hydrocortisone and cover the area with an ice pack ^h for the next 4 hours. If the local reaction has then settled apply heat ^g for a further 24 to 48 hours. ²

Possibility of local inflammation. S/C hyaluronidase may facilitate dispersion of large volume extravasations in addition to the warm compressions

Gemcitabine

1

Infiltrate the site with hyaluronidase.^a Apply heat and compression.^{2 g}

Idarubicin

5

Apply topical DMSO, every 2 hours at the extravasation site followed by topical hydrocortisone cream and a cold compress. ^{1 h}

Avoid contact with good skin. If blistering occurs, stop the DMSO and seek further advice. Sodium bicarbonate may have a role. Surgical excision ^e is sometimes required to prevent serious damage

Ifosfamide

1

Infiltrate the site with hyaluronidase.^a Apply heat and compression.^{2 g}

Unlikely to cause tissue damage

Irinotecan

3

Infiltrate with sodium bicarbonate into the area, followed by heat (i.e. warm compression.^g)

See ^j

Beta Interferons

1

Infiltrate the site with hyaluronidase.^a Apply heat and compression. ^{2 g}

Melphalan

1

Infiltrate the site with hyaluronidase.^a Apply heat and compression. ^{2 g}

DRUG

GROUP

ASPIRATE

And instill

steroids⁰⁰¹

'SPREAD’ AND DILUTE

SPECIFIC MANAGEMENT

INFORMATION

Methotrexate

2

Apply topical hydrocortisone and cover the area with an ice pack ^h for the next 4 hours. If the local reaction has then settled apply heat ^g for a further 24 to 48 hours. ²

Possibility of local inflammation. S/C hyaluronidase may facilitate dispersion of large volume extravasations in addition to the warm compressions

Mitomycin

5

Apply topical DMSO, every 2 hours at the extravasation site followed by topical hydrocortisone cream and a cold compress. ^{1 h}

Avoid contact with good skin. If blistering occurs, stop the DMSO and seek further advice. Surgical excision ^e is sometimes required to prevent serious damage

Mitozantrone

4

Apply topical DMSO, every 2 hours at the extravasation site followed by topical hydrocortisone cream and a cold compress. ^{1 h}

Possibility of local inflammation or necrosis and/or pain

Mustine

5

Infiltrate the area with sodium thiosulphate.^b Introduce a further 100 mg of hydrocortisone to the infiltrated area. Apply cold compression for 12 hours.^h

Surgical excision ^e is sometimes required to prevent serious damage

Oxaliplatin

4

Y

Y

Infiltrate with hyaluronidase ^a and a 500 ml bag of 5% dextrose plus further hyaluronidase ^a should be placed in the centre of the extravasation area in a ‘hypodermoclysis’ ^f fashion, the area warmed to aid dispersion. The fluid should be left up to 8 hours or until the 500ml is dissipated.

Caution in diabetic patients

DRUG

GROUP

ASPIRATE

And instill

steroids⁰⁰¹

'SPREAD’ AND DILUTE

SPECIFIC MANAGEMENT

INFORMATION

Paclitaxel

5

Infiltrate the area with a mixture ^d of hydrocortisone and chlorpheniramine as 0.2ml ‘pin cushion’ subcutaneous injections. Follow by hyaluronidase ^a and then warm compressions ^g alternated with the application of topical antihistamine cream.⁴ In severe cases 1g of oral sodium cromoglycate should be administered as soon as possible after the injury and can be followed by 200mg four times a day for the next three days

Pentostatin

1

Infiltrate the site with hyaluronidase.^a Apply heat and compression.^{2 g}

Raltitrexed

2

Apply topical hydrocortisone and cover the area with an ice pack ^h for the next 4 hours. If the local reaction has then settled apply heat ^g for a further 24 to 48 hours. ²

Possibility of local inflammation. S/C hyaluronidase may facilitate dispersion of large volume extravasations in addition to the warm compressions

Streptozocin

5

Apply topical DMSO, every 2 hours at the extravasation site followed by topical hydrocortisone cream and a cold compress.^{1 h}

Surgical excision ^e is sometimes required to prevent serious damage

Teniposide

3

Give hydrocortisone via the venflon and sc hyrocortisone as 0.2 ml multiple injections around the circumference of the affected area, apply topical hydrocortisone and cover the area with an ice pack.^{2 h}

Possibility of local inflammation or necrosis and/or pain. There are no specific antidotes for these drugs.

DRUG

GROUP

ASPIRATE

And instill

steroids⁰⁰¹

'SPREAD’ AND DILUTE

SPECIFIC MANAGEMENT

INFORMATION

Thiotepa

1

Infiltrate the site with hyaluronidase.^a Apply heat and compression.^{2 g}

Topotecan

4

Infiltrate with sodium bicarbonate into the area, followed by heat (i.e. warm compression.^g)

See ^j

Treosulphan

5

Infiltrate with sodium bicarbonate into the area, followed by heat (i.e. warm compression.^g)

See ^j Although surgical excision ^e is sometimes required to prevent serious damage

Vinblastine

5

Infiltrate the area with hyaluronidase,^a as 0.2 ml injections, over and around the circumference of the affected area. Apply heat and compression.^{5 g}

Vincristine

5

Infiltrate the area with hyaluronidase,^a as 0.2 ml injections, over and around the circumference of the affected area. Apply heat and compression.^{5 g}

Vindesine

5

Infiltrate the area with hyaluronidase,^a as 0.2 ml injections, over and around the circumference of the affected area. Apply heat and compression.^{5 g}

Vinorelbine

5

Infiltrate the area with hyaluronidase,^a as 0.2 ml injections, over and around the circumference of the affected area. Apply heat and compression.^{5 g}