Abstract
BACKGROUND: Amphotericin-induced phlebitis is a common infusion-related reaction in patients managed for cryptococcal meningitis. High-quality nursing care is critical component to successful cryptococcosis treatment. We highlight the magnitude and main approaches in the management of amphotericin-induced phlebitis and the challenges faced in resource-limited settings.
METHODS: We prospectively determined the incidence of amphotericin-induced phlebitis during clinical trials in Kampala, Uganda from 2013 to 2018. We relate practical strategies and challenges faced in clinical management of phlebitis.
RESULTS: Overall, 696 participants were diagnosed with HIV-related cryptococcal meningitis. Participants received 7-14 doses of intravenous (IV) amphotericin B deoxycholate 0.7-1.0 mg/kg/day for induction therapy through peripheral IV lines at a concentration of 0.1 mg/mL in 5% dextrose. Overall, 18% (125/696) developed amphotericin-induced phlebitis. We used four strategies to minimize/prevent the occurrence of phlebitis. First, after every dose of amphotericin, we gave one liter of intravenous normal saline. Second, we rotated IV catheters every three days. Third, we infused IV amphotericin over 4 h. Finally, early ambulation was encouraged to minimize phlebitis. To alleviate phlebitis symptoms, warm compresses were used. In severe cases, treatment included topical diclofenac gel and oral anti-inflammatory medicines. Antibiotics were used only when definite signs of infection developed. Patient/caregivers' education was vital in implementing these management strategies. Major challenges included implementing these interventions in participants with altered mental status and limited access to topical and oral anti-inflammatory medicines in resource-limited settings.
CONCLUSIONS: Amphotericin-induced phlebitis is common with amphotericin, yet phlebitis is a preventable complication even in resource-limited settings.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: The ASTRO-CM trial was registered prospectively. ClincalTrials.gov : NCT01802385 ; Registration date: March 1, 2013; Last verified: February 14, 2018.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Article number | 558 |
| Journal | BMC infectious diseases |
| Volume | 19 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jun 26 2019 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This work received no specific funding. However, the parent study (ASTRO-CM) was supported by the Fogarty International Center and National Institute of Neurologic Disorders and Stroke (R01NS086312, K01TW010268). The funders of ASTRO-CM were not involved in study design, data collection, analysis, interpretation, writing report and the decision to submit the article for publication. DBM and RK are currently supported through the DELTAS Africa Initiative grant # DEL-15-011 to THRiVE-2, from Wellcome Trust grant # 107742/Z/15/Z and the UK government.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 The Author(s).
Keywords
- Amphotericin B
- Cryptococcal infection
- HIV
- Nursing
- Phlebitis
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Thrombophlebitis
- Humans
- Uganda/epidemiology
- Male
- AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections/drug therapy
- Amphotericin B/administration & dosage
- Incidence
- HIV Infections/complications
- Deoxycholic Acid/administration & dosage
- Meningitis, Cryptococcal/complications
- Adult
- Female
- Health Resources/economics
- Infusions, Intravenous
- Poverty Areas
- Phlebitis/chemically induced
- Antifungal Agents/administration & dosage
- Drug Combinations
PubMed: MeSH publication types
- Clinical Trial
- Observational Study
- Randomized Controlled Trial
- Multicenter Study
- Clinical Trial, Phase II
- Clinical Trial, Phase III
- Journal Article
