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Successful Thrombolysis and Spasmolysis of Acute Leg Ischemia after Accidental Intra-arterial Injection of Dissolved Flunitrazepam Tablets

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Abstract

A 37-year-old man with known intravenous drug abuse presented in the surgical ambulatory care unit with acute leg ischemia after accidental intra-arterial injection of dissolved flunitrazepam tablets into the right femoral artery. A combination of anticoagulation, vasodilatation, and local selective and superselective thrombolysis with urokinase was performed to salvage the leg. As a result of the severe ischemia-induced pain, the patient had to be monitored over the complete therapy period on the intensive care unit with permanent administration of intravenous fluid and analgetics. We describe the presenting symptoms and the interventional technique, and we discuss the recent literature regarding the management of accidental intra-arterial injection of dissolved flunitrazepam tablets.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 110, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany

    B. Radeleff, U. Stampfl, C.-M. Sommer, N. Bellemann, M.-A. Weber & H.-U. Kauczor

  2. Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 110, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany

    A. Hyhlik-Duerr & D. Boeckler

Authors
  1. B. Radeleff
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  2. U. Stampfl
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  3. C.-M. Sommer
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  4. N. Bellemann
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  5. A. Hyhlik-Duerr
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  6. M.-A. Weber
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  7. D. Boeckler
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  8. H.-U. Kauczor
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Correspondence to B. Radeleff.

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Radeleff, B., Stampfl, U., Sommer, CM. et al. Successful Thrombolysis and Spasmolysis of Acute Leg Ischemia after Accidental Intra-arterial Injection of Dissolved Flunitrazepam Tablets. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 34, 1085–1089 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-011-0173-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-011-0173-3

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