Biomaterial Database

Thrombophlebitis following intravenous glucose in the cold. 1989

A L Vallerand, and M F Kavanagh

Biosciences Division, Defence and Civil Institute of Environmental Medicine, Downsview, Ontario, Canada.

In an effort to characterize the role of carbohydrate metabolism during the hypermetabolic state associated with whole body cooling, oral (n = 6) and intravenous (iv; n = 3) glucose tolerance tests (GTT) were performed in nude subjects. Unexpectedly, 1-2 wks after the completion of their iv GTT (50% dextrose) in the cold, superficial thrombophlebitis was diagnosed in all 3 subjects. No subject developed thrombophlebitis after the oral GTT in the warm and cold, nor after the iv GTT in the warm. Since this complication was not observed in further testing with isotonic iv solutions under identical conditions in the cold as above, we conclude that the adverse reaction is the result of an interaction between whole body cooling or vasoconstriction and the hypertonicity of the dextrose solution. Environmental physiologists and medical officers should be aware of this complication.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007262	Infusions, Intravenous	The long-term (minutes to hours) administration of a fluid into the vein through venipuncture, either by letting the fluid flow by gravity or by pumping it.	Drip Infusions,Intravenous Drip,Intravenous Infusions,Drip Infusion,Drip, Intravenous,Infusion, Drip,Infusion, Intravenous,Infusions, Drip,Intravenous Infusion
D008297	Male		Males
D003080	Cold Temperature	An absence of warmth or heat or a temperature notably below an accustomed norm.	Cold,Cold Temperatures,Temperature, Cold,Temperatures, Cold
D005951	Glucose Tolerance Test	A test to determine the ability of an individual to maintain HOMEOSTASIS of BLOOD GLUCOSE. It includes measuring blood glucose levels in a fasting state, and at prescribed intervals before and after oral glucose intake (75 or 100 g) or intravenous infusion (0.5 g/kg).	Intravenous Glucose Tolerance,Intravenous Glucose Tolerance Test,OGTT,Oral Glucose Tolerance,Oral Glucose Tolerance Test,Glucose Tolerance Tests,Glucose Tolerance, Oral
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000284	Administration, Oral	The giving of drugs, chemicals, or other substances by mouth.	Drug Administration, Oral,Administration, Oral Drug,Oral Administration,Oral Drug Administration,Administrations, Oral,Administrations, Oral Drug,Drug Administrations, Oral,Oral Administrations,Oral Drug Administrations
D000328	Adult	A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available.	Adults
D013924	Thrombophlebitis	Inflammation of a vein associated with a blood clot (THROMBUS).	Phlegmasia Alba Dolens,Dolens, Phlegmasia Alba,Thrombophlebitides