Zytostatikabedingte Paravasate – ein seltenes Ereignis?

Intravenous drug application is a daily activity in every hospital and medical practice. One of the major challenges for doctors and nurses is obtaining a safe intravenous line in every situation. Unfortunately complications are always possible. One of the most dangerous problems is extravasation of local toxic agents. The frequency of extravasation and the extent of tissue damage are different depending on localisation of the vein and other risk factors, such as restlessness of the patient or lymphedema of the extremity. It is essential to prevent extravasation by minimizing iatrogenic failures and by educating patients prior to application of toxic substances. If extravasation occurs the infusion has to be stopped immediately and general actions as well specific antidotes have to be administered.