%0 Journal Article
%T Use of Esmarch bandage does not increase peripheral vein size in healthy volunteers: A randomized clinical trial.
%A Paterson R
%A Euerle B
%A Salerno A
%A Miller T
%A King S
%A Gatz JD
%J Am J Emerg Med
%V 83
%N 0
%D 2024 Jun 25
%M 38943708
%F 4.093
%R 10.1016/j.ajem.2024.06.033
%X <B>BACKGROUND: </B>Ultrasound is used for peripheral intravenous (PIV) cannulation in patients with difficult landmark-guided IV access in the Emergency Department. Distal-to-proximal application of an Esmarch bandage on the target limb has been suggested as a method for increasing vein size and ease of cannulation.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>This study was a single-blinded crossover randomized controlled trial comparing basilic vein size under ultrasound with use of an Esmarch bandage in addition to standard IV tourniquet ("tourniquet + Esmarch") compared to use of a standard IV tourniquet alone. Participant discomfort with the tourniquet + Esmarch was also compared to that with standard IV tourniquet alone.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Twenty-two healthy volunteers were used to measure basilic vein size with and without the Esmarch bandage. There was no difference in basilic vein size between the two groups, with a mean diameter of 6.0 ± 1.5 mm in the tourniquet + Esmarch group and 6.0 ± 1.4 mm in the control group, p = 0.89. Discomfort score (from 0 to 10) was different between the groups, with a mean discomfort score of 2.1 in the tourniquet + Esmarch group and 1.1 in the standard IV tourniquet alone group (p < 0.001).<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>This study showed that the use of an Esmarch bandage does not increase basilic vein size in healthy volunteers but is associated with a mild increase in discomfort.