Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was to determine the incidence and severity of venous irriation in patients receiving vinorelbine tartrate (Navelbine ) in combination chemotherapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty four patients histologically confirmed non-small cell lung cancer were enrolled in this study who receiving vinorelbine in combination chemotherapy through a peripheral vein from Oct. 1997 to Mar. 1999 with retrospective study design method. One group was 6~10 minutes infusion rate, the other was 10~20 minutes infusion rate with the same free-flow intravenous infusion.
RESULTS
A total of 126 infusions were observed in this study. Sixty-two infusions were admi nistered at the 6~10 minutes, and 64 infusions were administered at the 10~20 minutes. The incidence of any venous irritation was 3.2% (2/62) in the group that received the infusion in 6~10 minutes and 10.9% (7/64) in 10~20 minutes (p=0.164), so we could not acquire any statistical significance. However the incidence of severe venous irritation (grade 3, 4) was 0% (0/62) in 6~10 minutes infusion group and 9.4% (6/64) in 10~20 minutes infusion group. There was a significant difference between two groups (p=0.028) CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that venous irritation associated with vinorelbine tartrate infusion can be reduced by shorter duration of administration and vinorelbine tartrate might be recom mended to administer at 6~10 minutes infusion in clinical practice.

• Keywords: Vinorelbine tartrate;Venous irritation;Infusion time