Publication:

Real-world utilization of topical heparin ointment for superficial venous thrombophlebitis in Indian clinical practice: a multicentre knowledge, attitude and practice survey

Background Superficial venous thrombophlebitis (SVT) is a frequent complication of peripheral intravenous (IV) cannulation, for which topical heparin ointment is widely used despite limited contemporary real-world data on clinician knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP). This study examined the KAP of practicing clinicians regarding topical heparin ointment in SVT.

Methods A cross-sectional observational survey of 362 clinicians routinely managing IV cannulation was conducted using an 11-item structured questionnaire. Items were a priori categorized into Knowledge (perceived SVT incidence and non-cannulation etiologies), Attitude (perceived effectiveness and tolerability, including pediatric use), and Practice (preferred treatment, timing, prophylactic use, duration, and use beyond SVT), with daily cannulation volume as a contextual exposure variable. Responses were summarized as frequencies, percentages, and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results Among 362 clinicians, 74.5% performed 2–8 IV cannulations daily. For knowledge, 30.7% perceived that more than half of cannulated patients developed SVT, and 67.7% attributed non-cannulation SVT to vein injury, alone or with varicose veins. For attitude, symptom resolution and overall tolerability were rated excellent by 76.2% and 74.9%, respectively; pediatric tolerability was rated excellent or good by 97.5%. For practice, topical heparin ointment was preferred by 91.1% (alone or in combination), 85.1% (95% CI 81.4–88.8) had used it prophylactically, 62.7% prescribed it at or before cannulation, and a 7–10-day course was most common (50.6%).

Conclusion Indian clinicians displayed a coherent KAP profile in which topical heparin ointment was overwhelmingly endorsed for prophylaxis and treatment of cannulation-related SVT, supporting its continued role in peripheral IV care pending patient-level outcome studies.