Intra-arterial drug injection: an effective treatment protocol

ABSTRACT

Intra-arterial drugs injection [IADI] either iatrogenic or self administered in drug abusers is a source of considerable morbidity. Most interventions are largely empirical. No prospective human studies have shown that any specific treatment is superior to another. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of different modalities of treatments in patients with IADI. This study included 36 patients divided into 2 groups Retrospective group [A] [from November 2002 to July 2004] enrolled 13 patients [10 males and 3 females] and prospective group [B] [from August 2004 to June 2008] enrolled 23 patients [19 males and 4 females]. Group A received systemic treatment only [heparin, dexamethazone, antiplatelet and prostaglandins] and group B received intra-arterial treatment [heparin and streptokinase] in addition to the systemic treatment Normal outcome [normal extremities] improved greatly in group B [52%] than in group A [23%] although, this failed to reach statistical significance. Intra-arterial cannulation and administration of heparin and streptokinase is a good option in treating accidental IADI resulting in better final outcome than systemic heparinization and early treatment is mandatory for a good outcome: