Published
Here's a review article that may be useful:
Since arteries move blood away from the heart, it seems to me that a medication injected into an artery, even a central one, would quickly travel into smaller and smaller blood vessels and eventually capillaries -- and the concentration might still be significant by the time you get to the small blood vessels. According to the article above, some medications can cause necrosis when injected into arteries.
Good luck with your in-service!
ImDenise
3 Posts
Can someone please explain and if possible cite references that explain all risks and outcomes of accidental infusion and medication administration into an artery. I understand fully about the risk of spasm of the artery and have concerns about micro-embolism as well but do not understand any other risks and/or complications and can not find reference information. This was not a peripheral artery but a central artery so spasm resulting in limb loss is not an issue. I would appreciate any input but really want reference information. I want to do an educational inservice in our unit. Thank you.