Infiltration (medical)

Infiltration is the diffusion or accumulation (in a tissue or cells) of substances not normal to it or in amounts in excess of the normal. The material collected in those tissues or cells is also called infiltration.

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Classification

As part of a disease process, infiltration is sometimes used to define the invasion of cancer cells into the underlying matrix or the blood vessels. Similarly the term may describe the deposition of amyloid protein. During leukocyte extravasation white blood cells move in response to cytokine chemicals (chemotaxis), from within the blood out to infiltrate into the diseased or infected tissues. The presence of lymphocytes in tissue in greater than normal numbers is likewise called infiltration.

As part of medical intervention, local anaesthetics may be injected at more than one point so as to infiltrate are area prior to a surgical proceedure. However the term may also apply to unintended iatrogenic leakage of fluids from phlebotomy or intravenous drug delivery proceedures, a process also known as extravasation or "tissuing".

Tissuing

Inflitration or tissuing, described leakage of fluids or blood from damaged blood vessles as a result of medical interventions.

Etiology

Infiltration may be caused by:

• Puncture of distal vein wall during venipuncture
• Puncture of any portion of the vein wall by mechanical friction from the catheter/needle cannula
• Dislodgement of the catheter/needle cannula from the intima of the vein which may be a result of a poorly secured IV device or the selection of which venous site is used.
• Improper cannula size or excessive delivery rate of the fluid

Signs/Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of infiltration include:

• Inflammation at or near the insertion site with swollen taut skin with pain
• Blanching and coolness of skin around IV site
• Damp or wet dressing
• Slowed or stopped infusion
• No backflow of blood into IV tubing on lowering the solution container.

Clinical Criteria for Grading

Nursing Treatment

The use of warm compresses to treat infiltration has become controversial. It has been found that cold compresses may be better for some infiltrated infusates and warm compresses may be more effective for others. It has also been documented that elevation of the infiltrated extremity may be painful for the patient. To act in the best interest of the patient, following IV infiltration, consult with the physician for orders regarding compresses and elevation.

References

• Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary, Twenty-sixth Edition. ISBN 0-7216-1645-3. 
• Dianne L. Josephson. Intravenous Infusion Therapy for Nurses, Second Edition. ISBN 1-4018-0935-9.