The term extravasation refers to a complication of chemotherapy infusion. In this complication, the chemotherapy drug 'escapes' into what is referred to as the extravascular space, which is any space outside of the vein. It may occur as a result of a leak in the vein itself, or through direct infiltration, likely a consequence of an error made by the attending health care professional.
Generally the earliest signs that extravasation has occurred are experienced by the patient in the form of swelling, pain or erythema in the extravascular space. However, health care professionals can also be alerted to extravasation if they detect a change in the rate of drug infusion, or they note an absence of blood returning from the catheter.
Extravasation Incidence
How common is extravasation? The overall incidence is believed to be around five percent, or possibly as high as seven percent. As techniques have improved to make infusion safer for the patient, the incidence rate of extravasation has begun to come down.
Extravasation Treatment
Treatment for extravasation should begin immediately, because of the potential damage to the surrounding tissue and the worst-case scenario, which is pathological tissue death and subsequent requirement to amputate the region. Please see the entry on extravasation treatment for more information.
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