Infusion of a chemotherapeutic agent can result in sclerosis of the vein. While often mild this can be severe and disabling if several veins in an extremity are affected.
Risk factors for problems:
(1) infusion into a small vein
(2) repeated use of the same vein
(3) high drug concentration
(4) highly irritant drug
(5) thrombosis of the vein
Manifestations:
(1) aching or pain in the upper extremity
(2) puckering of the skin over the vein due to scarring
(3) tightening of the vein due to scarring
(4) discomfort on flexing and/or extending the elbow and/or wrist
(5) disability in the use of the affected extremity
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