Evaluation and Management of Buprenorphine Extended-Release Injection Thrombophlebitis: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: Buprenorphine extended-release subcutaneous injection (BUP-XR) is a medication used to treat opioid use disorder. It is a long-acting formulation of buprenorphine, which is a partial opioid agonist. Buprenorphine extended-release subcutaneous injection is injected into the subcutaneous space forming a depot that can last up to a month. The most common adverse effects of BUP-XR are injection site pain, erythema, and induration. CASE REPORT: A man in his late 30s presented to the emergency department 48 hours after BUP-XR injection with abdominal pain. He was found to have superficial venous thrombosis of an abdominal wall vessel extending near the deep venous system. He was subsequently started on apixaban for 30 days and cefadroxil for 7 days to reduce the risk of extension and infection. He fully recovered and has since restarted BUP-XR without further complications. CONCLUSIONS: Venous thrombosis is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of BUP-XR. It is important for emergency and outpatient clinicians to be aware of adverse reactions associated with this medication. The patient was successfully treated with a 30-day course of apixaban and able to resume taking BUP-XR without further complications. Clinicians may want to consider supplementing BUP-XR with sublingual film after injection-related complications due to possible lower serum levels.

PROMETHAZINE-INDUCED THROMBOPHLEBITIS IN A NIGERIAN MAN: A CASE REPORT.

Introduction: Promethazine is a phenothiazine derivative that possesses antihistamine, anti-dopaminergic and anticholinergic properties. It is commonly used to treat motion sickness, allergic conditions, nausea and vomiting, in addition to its use as a sedative. Promethazine has vesicant properties and is highly caustic to the intima of blood vessels and surrounding tissues. Intravenous administration may result in thrombophlebitis, unintentional intra-arterial administration, perivascular extravasation and tissue necrosis. To the best of our knowledge there is no previous published report of promethazine-induced thrombophlebitis from sub- Saharan Africa. Case Report: A 29-year-old Nigerian male was admitted at our hospital on account of malaria with acute gastroenteritis. Due to persistent vomiting, he was administered 25 mg of promethazine injection via a size 22G intravenous cannula which was inserted the previous day on the anteromedial aspect of his right forearm and maintained with continuous intravenous crystalloid infusion. Upon administration of promethazine, he experienced intense burning and erythema. The cannula was removed immediately, another cannula was inserted on the contralateral arm, and promethazine was replaced with ondansetron. Subsequently, he developed a tender, subcutaneous cord-like swelling extending from the middle-third of the anteromedial aspect of his right forearm, corresponding with the site of previous venous cannulation. Ultrasonography revealed a hypoechoic, non-compressible basilic vein, with no flow on colour Doppler interrogation, in keeping with superficial thrombophlebitis. He was treated with a topical anti-inflammatory agent, and the pain and redness subsided after four weeks. Conclusion: The preferred parenteral route of administration of promethazine is deep intramuscular injection. Recommendations to prevent promethazine-induced thrombophlebitis include: use of large and patent veins, use of lower doses, drug dilution and slow administration, use of alternative therapies, and patient education. Promethazine-induced tissue injury is under-reported in this part of the world. Creating awareness through this case report would help reduce the morbidity following promethazine administration.

[Iliopsoas muscle hematoma after anticoagulant therapy for pyogenic thrombophlebitis that spilled over from ascending colon diverticulitis:a case report].

A 79-year-old male patient presented to our hospital with chief complaints of fever, abdominal pain, and jaundice. Laboratory data revealed marked hepatobiliary enzyme and inflammatory marker elevations, and computed tomography revealed ascending colon diverticulitis, thrombophlebitis, portal vein thrombus, and intrahepatic cholangitis. Blood culture revealed the presence of Prevotella sp. The patient was treated with anticoagulant therapy in addition to antimicrobial therapy;however, activated partial thromboplastin time prolongation remained insufficient. Antithrombin therapy was combined with the current therapy because antithrombin levels were low, which resulted in iliopsoas muscle hematoma. The hematoma resolved conservatively after discontinuing anticoagulation, and the patient was discharged after 19 days of hospitalization with improved cholangitis and diverticulitis. The portal vein thrombus remained after discharge;however, anticoagulation therapy was not restarted due to adverse events. This case was presented because of its difficult treatment.

Warfarin Related Kidney Damage: A Confusing Case of Thrombophlebitis Masquerading as Infection.

Anticoagulant-related nephropathy (ARN) is a rare, newly recognized cause of acute kidney injury and significant but underdiagnosed complication of anticoagulation therapy. ARN occurs in patients taking oral anticoagulant therapy most often warfarin or a novel oral anticoagulant (NOAC). It is a potentially devastating disorder with serious renal consequences and increased all-cause mortality. Anticoagulant-related nephropathy presents as an acute kidney injury (AKI) in the setting of a supratherapeutic INR with profuse glomerular hemorrhage seen as renal tubules filled with red cells and red cell casts on renal biopsy. Being that millions of Americans are on warfarin, a thorough understanding and awareness of the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and therapeutic interventions are crucial to protecting the renal function, lowering all-cause mortality and optimizing treatment. Our goal is to provide education on a newly recognized form of AKI and significant but underdiagnosed complication of anticoagulation therapy.

A retrospective study of real-world effectiveness and safety of rivaroxaban in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation and venous thromboembolism in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Real-world evidence on factor Xa inhibitor (rivaroxaban) prescribing patterns, safety, and efficacy in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) and venous thromboembolism (VTE) is rare. Herein, we sought to examine the above outcomes in the largest academic center in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Methods: This is a retrospective observational study designed to examine the prescribing pattern, safety and real-world effectiveness of the factor Xa inhibitor rivaroxaban in patients with NVAF and VTE. Data on rivaroxaban prescriptions were collected and analyzed. Bleeding outcomes were defined as per the International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis (ISTH) definition. Results: A total of 2,316 patients taking rivaroxaban recruited through several departments of King Saud University Medical City (KSUMC). The mean age was 61 years (±17.8) with 55% above the age of 60 and 58% were females. Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism (VTE) was the most prevalent reason for prescribing rivaroxaban, followed by NVAF. A total daily dosage of 15 mg was given to 23% of the patients. The incidence rate of recurrent thrombosis and recurrent stroke was 0.2%. Furthermore, rivaroxaban had a 0.04 percent incidence rate of myocardial infarction. Half of the patients with recurrent thrombosis and stroke were taking 15 mg per day. The incidence rate of major bleeding was 1.1%. More over half of the patients who experienced significant bleeding were taking rivaroxaban at a dosage of 20 mg per day. According to the HAS-BLED Score (>2 score), 48 percent of patients who experienced significant bleeding had a high risk of bleeding. Non-major bleeding occurred in 0.6% of cases. Similarly, 40% of patients with non-major bleeding were taking rivaroxaban at a dosage of 20 mg per day. According to the HAS-BLED Score, just 6.6% of these individuals had a high risk of bleeding. 93.4% of the patients, on the other hand, were at intermediate risk. Conclusion: The prescription of rivaroxaban in this real-life cohort study differs from the prescribing label and the outcomes of a phase 3 randomised clinical trial. However, for individuals with VTE and NVAF, the 20 mg dose looked to be more efficacious than the pivotal trial outcomes. Furthermore, among patients with VTE and NVAF, rivaroxaban was linked to a decreased incidence of safety events such as recurrent thrombosis, recurrent stroke, MI, major bleeding, and non-major haemorrhage in a real-world environment.

Phlegmasia cerulea dolens in a patient treated with carboplatin.

Phlegmasia cerulea dolens (PCD) is a rare, fulminant, potentially lethal and often debilitating presentation of deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Mortality and amputations rates are high. We present a rare case of bilateral PCD in the lower extremities. A 67-year-old woman presented with newly diagnosed squamous cell cancer of unknown primary origin with lymph node metastases to the neck. The patient started curatively intended treatment, consisting of removal of one lymph node on the neck, radiotherapy with concomitant carboplatin and nimorazol. The patient developed bilateral DVT in the legs. Despite treatment with low-molecular-weight heparins, the patient developed thrombosis in the inferior vena cava and lungs. Due to developing painful discolouration and necrosis on the legs, the patient underwent acute and extensive surgery. PCD is a severe and potentially lethal form of DVT. There are several known risk factors for developing DVT, including active cancer and the use of chemotherapy.

Association of Mondor's disease with oral contraceptive pills.

Mondor's disease (MD) is a rare disease characterised by thrombophlebitis of superficial veins in the body. We describe a case of a 28-year-old woman with a painful cord-like lesion of the right breast (3 cm) overlying the right upper quadrant. The patient was recently prescribed metformin and oral contraceptive pills for symptomatic polycystic ovarian syndrome. Right breast ultrasound showed a tubular anechoic structure with several areas of narrowing, resembling a beaded appearance. The patient was diagnosed with MD associated with use of oral contraceptive pills. We recommended the patient to discontinue oral contraceptive because discontinuation of the causative drug is important. The patient was started on topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and a therapeutic dose of enoxaparin. The patient showed significant clinical improvement after 5 days. At 6-week outpatient follow-up, complete resolution of the disease was noted.

[Thrombophlebitis in an Elderly Japanese Woman Treated with Tamoxifen for Breast Cancer].

In this study, we report the rare case of an elderly woman who developed thrombophlebitis after being treated with tamoxifen for breast cancer. She visited our department with a lump in her left breast. She underwent core needle biopsy, and she was diagnosed with breast cancer (invasive ductal carcinoma, ER- and PgR-positive, HER2-negative). We chose hormonal therapy because surgical treatment was deemed too invasive considering her general status. She was administered tamoxifen (20 mg/day) instead of an aromatase inhibitor in consideration of her osteoporosis. Six months after initiating tamoxifen therapy, she exhibited swelling in her left leg. Computed tomography and ultrasound revealed thrombophlebitis in her left femoral vein. She stopped taking tamoxifen and started warfarin potassium as thrombolytic therapy, after which thrombophlebitis was relieved. Advanced age may be a risk factor for thrombophlebitis associated with tamoxifen treatment; therefore, precautions should be taken accordingly.

Aspectos clínicos, ultra-sonográficos e venográficos da tromboflebite jugular experimental em equinos / Equine experimental thrombophlebitis: clinical, ultrasonographic and venographic evaluation

A tromboflebite jugular ocorre frequentemente em equinos, decorrendo geralmente de processos mórbidos associados à iatrogenia, podendo levar a perda de função, edema cefálico, diminuição do desempenho atlético e ainda causar o óbito. Esta enfermidade nos equinos apesar de frequente é pouco conhecida quanto à sua evolução e tratamentos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a evolução da tromboflebite jugular experimental em equinos, quanto às alterações clínicas e estruturais envolvidas na enfermidade, observando-se os aspectos clínicos, ultra-sonográficos e venográficos no contexto do trombo e do vaso, quanto à possibilidade de recanalização do trombo produzido e da vascularização compensatória. A tromboflebite da veia jugular foi induzida, unilateralmente, em 05 equinos nos quais previamente à indução da tromboflebite e diariamente após foram observadas manifestações clínicas e realizados exames ultra-sonográficos. Venografias foram feitas nos momentos pré-indução, na indução e a cada seis dias após a indução da tromboflebite, verificando-se a recanalização do trombo oclusivo e a presença de vasos na drenagem sanguínea compensatória. Observou-se a ocorrência de edema moderado das regiões parotídea, massetérica e supra-orbitária e discreto edema submandibular que reduziram até o 6º dia, permanecendo apenas discreto aumento parotídeo. O ingurgitamento da jugular cranial a região da indução permaneceu durante todo o período de avaliação. A porção caudal à tromboflebite mostrou ingurgitamento frente ao garrote na entrada do tórax desde o primeiro dia após a indução. Os exames ultra-sonográficos mostraram formação de trombo oclusivo total durante todo o período de observação em 3 animais e o restabelecimento parcial do fluxo na jugular em 2 animais e a presença de vasos colaterais conduzindo o sangue da porção cranial para a porção caudal à obstrução. As venografias revelaram fluxo sanguíneo "linear" normal no momento pré-operatório, constatando nos momentos pós-operatórios a presença oclusiva do trombo, com o contraste preenchendo os vasos tributários compensatórios direcionados à porção caudal à oclusão da veia ou ainda estagnado cranialmente ao trombo. Conclui-se que a trombose oclusiva na tromboflebite jugular experimental e unilateral sofre recanalização e compensação vascular por vasos tributários de drenagem, com redução gradativa dos sinais decorrentes da estase sanguínea de retorno, especificamente as regiões cefálicas com edema. Estudos envolvendo a tromboflebite jugular nos equinos devem evoluir nos aspectos experimental e clínico.

Jugular thrombophlebitis is a common complication of disease processes associated with repeated venipuncture, injection of irritant solutions, and the use of indwelling catheters, especially with bacterial contamination. Bilateral thrombophlebitis may result in edema of the soft tissues of the head, reduction of athletic performance and even death of the animal. This disease, although common in horses, is not much known regarding its evolution and treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and structural changes of experimentally induced jugular thrombophlebitis in horses, through clinical examination, ultrasound and venography of the thrombus and the vessel, verifying the possibility of thrombus recanalization and compensatory produced blood flow. The jugular thrombophlebitis was induced unilaterally into 5 horses, monitored by clinical (general, regional and local) and ultrassonographycs exams. Venographs were made at pre-induction, induction and every 6 days after induction of thrombophlebitis, in order to observe recanalization of the occlusive thrombus and presence of blood vessels in the drainage allowance. Occurrence of moderate edema was observed in the parotid, masseter and supra orbital regions, and mild edema in the submandibular region. The jugular engorgement of the cranial region of induction persisted throughout the period of evaluation. The caudal portion to the thrombophlebitis showed engorgement with compression on the vein at the thorax entrance since the first day after induction. The ultrasound examinations showed total occlusive thrombus formation of 3 animals, partial recirculating flow in the jugular vein in 2 animals, and collateral blood vessels from the cranial obstruction to the caudal portion. The venography revealed normal linear blood flow in the preoperative and occlusive thrombus with contrast directed filling of the vessels to the compensatory portion caudal to the vein occlusion or cranial to the thrombus in the postoperative moments. After vein resection of the segment containing the thrombus, the cephalic edema was less intense than after the induction of the thrombophlebtits. The ultrassonography and venography post resection showed vascularity increase in this region. It was concluded that there is recanalization with endothelialization and vascular compensation made by pre-existing vessels necessary for drainage.

Intravascular thrombophlebitis related to the peripheral infusion of amiodarone and vancomycin.

Patients on a telemetry unit experienced an increase in thrombophlebitis in 2004. The purpose of this research was to determine if peripheral IV amiodarone and vancomycin influenced the incidence of thrombophlebitis in an adult cardiothoracic population. Amiodarone phlebitis rates range up to 27%. In December 2004, Pharmacy diluted the amiodarone concentration to 600 mg/500 ml. By 2005, data demonstrated a consistent decrease in the incidence of thrombophlebitis. However, related to institutional policies and patient safety concerns, the amiodarone infusion concentration was reversed back to 900 mg/500 ml in October 2005. Thrombophlebitis increased after the return to a more concentrated amiodarone IV solution. Vancomycin infusion administration did not change during this time period. A retrospective chart review and observational, before and after study, demonstrated a correlation between amiodarone concentration and the incidence of thrombophlebitis. Vancomycin infusions appeared to prevent peripheral thrombophlebitis in the study population. Data was compelling and resulted in the institution standardizing the more dilute amiodarone IV concentration.

Superficial venous thrombophlebitis caused by rocuronium.

Pain is one of the major disadvantages of rocuronium, which is used during induction of anesthesia. Even at subparalyzing doses, 50-100% of patients complain of intense pain. Sudden flexion and withdrawal movement in the wrist or arm have been reported following rocuronium use in many papers. No information about risk factors leading to this withdrawal movement or pain on injection is available and whether this reaction leads to erythema or to venous sequelae (i.e. thrombosis and thrombophlebitis) has not been systematically investigated. However, in both of our cases, visible reactions occurred and both patients were diagnosed with venous superficial thrombophlebitis. Therefore, we believe that rocuronium-related pain may, in part, be because of direct venous injury.