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Schweizer Archiv fur Tierheilkunde2017; 159(9); 477-485; doi: 10.17236/sat00126

Complications of intravenous catheterization in horses.

Abstract: Intravenous catheterization is a necessity for continuous administration of intravenous fluids and for intermittent intravenous access to avoid discomfort and potential complications of repeated needle insertions into the vein. Intravenous catheterization is commonly performed and well tolerated in horses, but catheter associated complications have been reported. The most commonly reported complication is thrombophlebitis, but others such as venous air embolism, exsanguination and catheter fragmentation may also occur. This article aims to review clinical signs, pathogenesis, diagnosis, therapy, risk factors and prevention of common catheter associated complications. Das Legen eines peripher-venösen Katheters ist eine wichtige Massnahme bei Pferden um Infusionen kontinuierlich verabreichen zu können. Wenn ein intermittierender intravenöser Zugang benötigt wird, verhindert ein peripher-venöser Katheter eine Traumatisierung der Vene durch wiederholte Nadeleinstiche. Peripher-venöse Katheter werden häufig gesetzt und von Pferden gut toleriert, jedoch kann es auch zu Komplikationen kommen. Am häufigsten ist Thrombophlebitis beschrieben, aber auch venöse Luftembolien, Fragmentation von Kathetern und Verbluten kommen vor. Dieser Artikel zielt darauf ab, die Symptome, Pathogenese, Diagnose, Therapie, Risikofaktoren und Prävention von häufigen Katheter-assoziierten Komplikationen bei Pferden zu beschreiben. Le cathétérisme veineux est une nécessité pour l’administration continue de fluides par voie intraveineuse et pour garantir un accès veineux intermittent afin d’éviter l’inconfort et les complications potentielles liées à la pénétration répétée d’une aiguille dans la veine. Le cathétérisme veineux est usuellement pratiqué chez le cheval et il est bien toléré mais des complications associées sont rapportées. La plus commune d’entre elle est la thrombophlébite mais d’autre, telles l’embolie gazeuse, l’exsanguination ou la fragmentation du cathéter peuvent aussi survenir. Cet article vise à résumer les signes cliniques, la pathogénèse, le diagnostic, le traitement les facteurs de risque et la prévention des complications communément associées avec le cathétérisme. La cateterizzazione endovenosa è una necessità per la continua somministrazione di fluidi per via endovenosa e per l’accesso endovenoso discontinuo alfine di evitare disagi e possibili complicazioni dovute all’inserimento ripetuto di aghi in vena. La cateterizzazione endovenosa è comunemente eseguita e ben tollerata dai cavalli ma sono state riportate complicazioni legate al catetere. La complicazione maggiormente segnalata è la tromboflebite seguono embolia gassosa venosa, dissanguamento a frammentazione del catetere. Questo articolo si propone di esaminare i segni clinici, patogenesi, diagnosi, terapia, fattori di rischio e prevenzione dovuti a complicazioni legate all’uso di cateteri.
Publication Date: 2017-09-28 PubMed ID: 28952957DOI: 10.17236/sat00126Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This study reviews the common complications associated with intravenous catheterization in horses, including thrombophlebitis, venous air embolism, exsanguination, and catheter fragmentation. It provides an in-depth analysis of the clinical signs, pathogenesis, diagnosis, therapy, and ways to prevent these complications.

Overview of the Research

  • The research article provides a comprehensive overview of issues related to intravenous catheterization in horses. Intravenous (IV) catheters are important in administering fluids to horses and secure intermittent venous access, minimizing the need for repeated needle insertions that could traumatize the veins.
  • Even though IV catheterization is a common procedure in equine veterinary medicine and generally well tolerated by horses, it can sometimes lead to complications.

Discussion on Complications

  • The paper lists thrombophlebitis, venous air embolism, exsanguination, and catheter fragmentation as the most frequently reported catheter-associated complications in horses.
  • Thrombophlebitis, or inflammation of the vein due to a blood clot, is the most commonly reported complication.
  • Other complications, such as venous air embolism (when an air bubble travels via the bloodstream which can obstruct small blood vessels), exsanguination (major blood loss), and catheter fragmentation (where parts of the catheter break off and enter the bloodstream) are also mentioned.

Aims of the Study

  • The article aims to review the clinical signs and pathogenesis of these complications. This involves studying the symptoms that suggest a complication and understanding the physiological changes that lead to these conditions.
  • The paper also seeks to provide information on diagnosing these complications. Accurate and timely diagnoses are critical to initiate suitable therapies and improve outcomes.
  • Risk factors are also addressed in the paper. Recognizing which horses are more susceptible to these complications can help in early cautionary measures and preventive actions.
  • The paper concludes with a discussion on preventive strategies for these common complications. Prevention is the best strategy to avoid complications and problems associated with IV catheterization.

Cite This Article

APA
Schoster A. (2017). Complications of intravenous catheterization in horses. Schweiz Arch Tierheilkd, 159(9), 477-485. https://doi.org/10.17236/sat00126

Publication

ISSN: 0036-7281
NlmUniqueID: 0424247
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 159
Issue: 9
Pages: 477-485

Researcher Affiliations

Schoster, A
  • Equine Department, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Catheterization, Peripheral / adverse effects
  • Catheterization, Peripheral / veterinary
  • Embolism, Air / diagnosis
  • Embolism, Air / etiology
  • Embolism, Air / therapy
  • Embolism, Air / veterinary
  • Exsanguination / diagnosis
  • Exsanguination / etiology
  • Exsanguination / therapy
  • Exsanguination / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
  • Horse Diseases / etiology
  • Horse Diseases / therapy
  • Horses
  • Prognosis
  • Risk Factors
  • Thrombophlebitis / diagnosis
  • Thrombophlebitis / etiology
  • Thrombophlebitis / therapy
  • Thrombophlebitis / veterinary
  • Vascular Access Devices / adverse effects
  • Vascular Access Devices / veterinary

Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
  1. Hussein HA, Ibrahim A. B-mode and color Doppler ultrasonography of normal external jugular vein in donkeys (Equus asinus).. BMC Vet Res 2022 Sep 14;18(1):345.
    doi: 10.1186/s12917-022-03441-ypubmed: 36104788google scholar: lookup
  2. Crabtree NE, Epstein KL. Current Concepts in Fluid Therapy in Horses.. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:648774.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.648774pubmed: 33855057google scholar: lookup
  3. Corda A, Columbano N, Secchi V, Scanu A, Parpaglia MLP, Careddu GM, Passino ES. Use of saline contrast ultrasonography in the diagnosis of complete jugular vein occlusion in a horse.. Open Vet J 2020 Oct;10(3):308-316.
    doi: 10.4314/ovj.v10i3.9pubmed: 33282702google scholar: lookup
  4. Pasolini MP, Spinella G, Del Prete C, Valentini S, Coluccia P, Auletta L, Greco M, Meomartino L. Ultrasonographic assessment of normal jugular veins in Standardbred horses.. BMC Vet Res 2019 Oct 16;15(1):343.
    doi: 10.1186/s12917-019-2104-5pubmed: 31619232google scholar: lookup
  5. Kopper JJ, Bolger ME, Kogan CJ, Schott HC 2nd. Outcome and complications in horses administered sterile or non-sterile fluids intravenously.. J Vet Intern Med 2019 Nov;33(6):2739-2745.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.15631pubmed: 31609037google scholar: lookup