Topical effect of heparin and a corticosteroid in prevention of infusion thrombophlebitis.

Thrombophlebitis is a common complication of intravenous therapy with incidence of 24% to 29% (3, 6), which is rarely serious but the pain is often vc-ry bothersome (I). To minimise infusion phlebitis, various measures have been suggested (6). Woodhouse (8) used 'Movelat cream', as a preventive measure, containing I% adrenocortical extract, 0.2'" organoheparinoid, 22% salicylic acid in cream base. Application of this cream, thrice daily reduced the incidence of thrombophlebitis by one half. This prompted the author to assess the role of topically applied heparin and a steroid as prophylaxis against infusion phlebitis.