Cyanoacrylate Skin Glue Helps Prevent Displacement of Peripheral IV Catheters

In a randomized trial, catheter failure was significantly less frequent when glue was applied to the skin insertion site.

Peripheral intravenous catheter failure is common and vexing. In a nonblinded randomized controlled trial of 380 IV catheter insertions in 360 adult patients, investigators compared failure rates between those who received cyanoacrylate glue — a drop at the catheter insertion site and a drop beneath the hub — and those who received standard care. The glue could be removed with commercially available cyanoacrylate-removal wipes.

At 48 hours, catheter failure — defined as occurrence of infection, phlebitis, occlusion, or dislodgement — occurred in 17% of the glue group versus 27% of the standard care group.

Reviewing Author

Daniel J. Pallin, MD, MPH

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardPortola Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Speaker’s BureauPeerView Institute for Medical Education

Grant/Research SupportAgency for Healthcare Research and Quality; CDC; NIH–National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences; NIH–National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID); NIH–NIAID–Antibacterial Resistance Leadership Group; Merck; Pfizer; Boehringer-Ingelheim; Shire; Portola Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Novartis; bioMérieux; Siemens; Rapid Pathogen Screening; Magnolia; Stago; Innovative Biosensors; Molecular Detection, Inc.; Dyax Corp.; Trius Pharmaceuticals

Daniel J. Pallin, MD, MPH

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardPortola Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Speaker’s BureauPeerView Institute for Medical Education

Cyanoacrylate Skin Glue Helps Prevent Displacement of Peripheral IV Catheters

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Reviewing Author