Catheter insertion sites were inspected daily by a physician
who recorded any adverse event. Phlebitis was defined
as the presence of two or more symptoms/signs
among pain, tenderness, warmth, erythema, swelling, or
a palpable cord (score of ≥2 according to the Visual Infusion
Phlebitis Score; Gallant & Schultz 2006). Occlusion
was defined as resistance to flushing as evidenced by the
inability to administer 1 mL of flushing solution within
30 seconds. In these cases, catheter was immediately removed.
Ecchymosis was defined as a purple discoloration
of the skin around the catheter insertion site larger than
1 cm.
Heparin induced thrombocytopeniawas defined as a fall
in platelet count >50% of baseline value without any alternative
explanation. To detect this phenomenon, platelet
count was performed at baseline and, subsequently, every
5 days.