Effects of open-label sesame oil applied to cardiac surgery patients in preventing amiodarone-induced phlebitis: A randomized controlled trial.

2024-04-27
Nursing in critical care 30(2)
- Muaz Gülşen
- Sevban Arslan

PubMed: 38676381
DOI: 10.1111/nicc.13085

Study Design

Type: Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Sample size: n = 44
Population: 44 patients treated in the coronary intensive care unit of a university hospital, who received parenteral infusion of amiodarone
Methods: prospective, two-arm (1:1), block randomized controlled interventional study; sesame oil applied superficially by applying 10 drops to a 10 cm perimeter of the cannula for 10 min, repeated every 8 h during the 24-h amiodarone infusion; no intervention to control group; standard nursing care and transparent dressing to both groups
Duration: 24 h

Background

Amiodarone is a prophylactic rhythm-regulating drug used to prevent arrhythmia; However, especially during infusion, it has the potential to cause a number of complications, especially phlebitis.

Aim

The aim of the study is to determine the effects of sesame oil, which has the potential to prevent phlebitis that may occur during amiodarone infusion administered to patients after cardiac surgery.

Design

This prospective, two-arm (1:1), block randomized controlled interventional study.

Methods

This study was conducted with 44 patients treated in the coronary intensive care unit of a university hospital, who received parenteral infusion of amiodarone. Sesame oil was applied superficially by applying 10 drops to a 10 cm perimeter of the cannula for 10 min. This application was repeated every 8 h during the 24-h amiodarone infusion. No intervention was made to the patients in the control group. However, standard nursing care measures and a standard transparent dressing were applied to the patients in both groups during the peripheral catheter application phase. Patients in the intervention and control groups were evaluated in terms of phlebitis at the end of every 24 h using the Visual Infusion Phlebitis Scale. The study was reported according to the CONSORT declaration.

Results

Phlebitis symptoms occurred in 15/22 (68.2%) of the patients in the intervention group on the first day, 3/22 (13.6%) on the second day and 2/22 (9.1%) of the patients on the third day, while in the control group, 20/22 (90.9%) of the patients had phlebitis on the first day and 2/22 (9.1%) on the second day. The incidence of phlebitis was 20/22 (90.9%) in the intervention group and 22/22 (100%) in the control group. There was no statistically significant difference in phlebitis symptoms between groups.

Conclusion

The research results showed that the application of sesame oil did not significantly reduce the frequency of phlebitis. However, a trend indicating delayed onset of phlebitis symptoms was observed in the sesame oil group. Nevertheless, larger sample studies are needed. These studies are expected to assist in determining the effects of sesame oil on phlebitis more precisely and provide stronger support for the results.

Relevance to clinical practice

Training of nurses on non-pharmacological methods should be supported and opportunities should be given for their application.

Research Insights

Sesame→Delayed Onset of Phlebitis Symptom
a trend indicating delayed onset of phlebitis symptoms was observed in the sesame oil group
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
10 drops applied to a 10 cm perimeter of the cannula for 10 minutes, repeated every 8 hours during 24-hour amiodarone infusion
Sesame→Reduced Phlebitis Incidence
The incidence of phlebitis was 20/22 (90.9%) in the intervention group and 22/22 (100%) in the control group. There was no statistically significant difference in phlebitis symptoms between groups.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
10 drops applied to a 10 cm perimeter of the cannula for 10 minutes, repeated every 8 hours during 24-hour amiodarone infusion