IV Access Risks

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Intravenous or “IV” access has infrequent but important risks. The following is a description and techniques used to mitigate those risks:

1) Infiltration – delivery of medication or fluids around the blood vessel; infiltration may cause swelling and inflammation, is typically harmless and will commonly resolve within several days.  We recommend applying heat to any areas of infiltration.  

2) Hematoma – bruising due to bleeding from the punctured vessel, may include mild pain and swelling, and typically resolves within 1-2 weeks.  

3) Air Embolism – rare complication when air > 1mL/kg of body weight is introduced into the vein, may be life-threatening and may require emergency attention. Air embolism typically only occurs with a moderate to large amount of air in the veins. 

4) Phlebitis and Thrombophlebitis – inflammation in and around the punctured vein, becomes more common in frequent IV users; Pristine Hydrate limits vein puncture (same vein) to a  maximum of once every two weeks; for requests of greater frequency Pristine Hydrate requires either special approval from your personal healthcare provider or following discussion with a Pristine Hydrate medical director. 

5) Micro clots - tiny blood clots associated with high-frequency vein puncture; typically treated with heat compresses, NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen), and elevation of the limb. 

6) Intra Arterial injection – inadvertent puncture of an artery instead of a vein; may result in spasm of the artery and injury to the limb; medical attention may be required. 

7) Infection - when puncturing the skin in any way, there is a low risk of pathogens causing infection in the skin and surrounding soft tissue. Pristine Hydrate uses isopropyl alcohol to sanitize the skin prior to puncture, but infection still remains a (low) risk when receiving IV therapy.  

Medical attention may be required if infection occurs.