Risk Factors of Nicardipine-Related Phlebitis in Acute Stroke Patients

Background and Purpose Intravenous nicardipine is generally used to treat hypertension in acute stroke patients but is associated with frequent phlebitis. We aimed to identify the incidence and risk factors of phlebitis in such patients. Methods The incidence and risk factors of phlebitis were investigated in 358 acute stroke patients from July 2014 to June 2015. Results In total, 138 patients received intravenous nicardipine. Of 45 (12.6%) phlebitis patients in 358 acute stroke patients, 42 (93.3%) were administered nicardipine, which was significantly associated with phlebitis occurrence ( P P P  = .023), dilution of nicardipine with normal saline ( P P P P Conclusions Nicardipine-related phlebitis is frequently observed in acute stroke patients and is significantly associated with administration of a maximum concentration of nicardipine greater than 130 µg/mL.