Real-world utilization of topical heparin ointment for superficial venous thrombophlebitis in Indian clinical practice: a multicentre knowledge, attitude and practice survey

Jaiprakash Pal; Paramesh Dash; Upendra Kumar  Singh; Palak Goswami

doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20263590

Authors

Jaiprakash Pal Department of Emergency, Apollo Gleneagles Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Paramesh Dash Emergency Department, Sun Flower Nursing Home, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Upendra Kumar Singh Khushi Hospital, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
Palak Goswami Medical Affairs and Regulatory Department, Zydus Healthcare Limited, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20263590

Abstract

Background: Superficial venous thrombophlebitis (SVT) is a frequent complication of peripheral intravenous (IV) cannulation, for which topical heparin ointment is widely used despite limited contemporary real-world data on clinician knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP). This study examined the KAP of practicing clinicians regarding topical heparin ointment in SVT.

Methods: A cross-sectional observational survey of 362 clinicians routinely managing IV cannulation was conducted using an 11-item structured questionnaire. Items were a priori categorized into Knowledge (perceived SVT incidence and non-cannulation etiologies), Attitude (perceived effectiveness and tolerability, including pediatric use), and Practice (preferred treatment, timing, prophylactic use, duration, and use beyond SVT), with daily cannulation volume as a contextual exposure variable. Responses were summarized as frequencies, percentages, and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results: Among 362 clinicians, 74.5% performed 2–8 IV cannulations daily. For knowledge, 30.7% perceived that more than half of cannulated patients developed SVT, and 67.7% attributed non-cannulation SVT to vein injury, alone or with varicose veins. For attitude, symptom resolution and overall tolerability were rated excellent by 76.2% and 74.9%, respectively; pediatric tolerability was rated excellent or good by 97.5%. For practice, topical heparin ointment was preferred by 91.1% (alone or in combination), 85.1% (95% CI 81.4–88.8) had used it prophylactically, 62.7% prescribed it at or before cannulation, and a 7–10-day course was most common (50.6%).

Conclusion: Indian clinicians displayed a coherent KAP profile in which topical heparin ointment was overwhelmingly endorsed for prophylaxis and treatment of cannulation-related SVT, supporting its continued role in peripheral IV care pending patient-level outcome studies.

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