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Although these terms are often used interchangeably, they represent very different complications from an IV catheter.
With both infiltration and extravasation, the fluid being administered to the patient leaks into the surrounding tissues as opposed to the vein in which the IV is inserted. This can occur for a variety of reasons, such as improper catheter insertion, catheter dislodgement and clot formation.
An extravasation occurs when a highly caustic solution known as a vesicant (one that can cause severe tissue damage or blistering), improperly infuses into the surrounding tissue as opposed to the intended vein. Many chemotherapy medications, antibiotics, nutritional supplements high in glucose concentration, blood pressure regulating medications, and electrolyte replacements are vesicants or have vesicant properties that can cause significant tissue damage if the solution improperly is infused into the soft tissues instead of the patient’s vein.
An infiltration occurs when a non-vesicant medication, such as hydration fluid, inadvertently infuses into the patient’s soft tissues instead as opposed to the intended vein. While clearly uncomfortable and can cause injury to the patient, an infiltration will not create blistering or burns.
To review, both an extravasation and an infiltration involves the accidental leakage of an IV solution into the surrounding tissue as opposed to the vein. It is simply the type of fluid that is being infused that distinguishes an extravasation from an infiltration.
Because of the potential for an extravasation or infiltration injury, the patient’s medical staff must be trained in proper IV line placement and regularly monitor the IV line to identify any signs or symptoms that the fluid is infusing into the surrounding soft tissues as opposed to the vein.
Every medical institution where IV therapy is provided should have policies and procedures that address the manner by which a patient’s IV site needs to be assessed so as to prevent injury.
The Infusion Nurses Society publishes “Standards of Practice,” which many medical institutions adopt, require infusion nurses to be familiar with the fluid being infused into the patient. In particular, these Standards of Practice mandate that the infusion nurse be aware of the fluid’s potential adverse effects and those interventions that need to be implemented if an extravasation or infiltration occurs.
Before starting the infusion, the infusion nurse needs to assess the patency of the patient’s vein by checking for brisk blood return and lack of resistance when flushing the line. In addition to confirming vein patency, infusion nurses should avoid inserting IV lines into veins located in joint sites due to the increased risk of catheter dislodgement by movement. Also insertions into veins located in the hand and wrist should be avoided so as to minimize the risk to the patient of an inadvertent nerve injury.
After the IV has been placed and the fluid and/or medication begins to be infused, frequent site assessments must be performed. With non-vesicant fluids, site inspection for infiltration every several hours in an adult patient may suffice. However, pediatric patients should have their IV lines more frequently assessed for infiltration. When vesicant medications, such as many chemotherapy medications, certain antibiotics and nutritional supplemental high in glucose concentration are infused, the Oncology Nursing Society recommended site assessments be performed for signs of extravasation every 10-15 minutes because of their potential risk to the patient for significant injury.
Several of the most common signs and symptoms of an IV extravasation or infiltration include:
Because of the potential serious injuries caused by extravasation and infiltration injuries, prevention and early detection is essential to patient wellbeing.
Extravasation and infiltration can cause severe injuries that require extensive medical treatment and cause lifelong problems. If the extravasation of a vesicant solution occurs, the patient will likely suffer a significant burn type injury. This can cause tissue to be so severely injured (tissue necrosis) that the limb suffers severe functional issues and disfigurement. In rare situations, the limb where the extravasation occurred may require amputation. In virtually all cases of extravasation injuries, the patient will be left with tissue damage and scarring that requires extensive treatment.
If an infiltration occurs over a long period of time undiagnosed or if the patient experiences significant fluid leakage and swelling, Compartment Syndrome can occur. As discussed in the section of our website directed specifically to Compartment Syndrome, this is a very serious condition that can result in permanent nerve damage and tissue necrosis.
With both extravasation and infiltration injuries, nerve damage can occur. In cases of severe nerve injury, the patient can develop a devastating condition, called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.
Because both extravasation and infiltration injuries can result in serious injury, the best treatment for extravasation and infiltration injuries is to prevent them from occurring.
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