The Direct Administration of Isopropyl Alcohol to Rat Astrocytes
Date
2024-04-02
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Abstract
Anesthesia providers have been cautious when applying isopropyl alcohol (IPA) prep pads specifically as an antiseptic for ports on neuraxial catheters. After re-bolusing a neuraxial catheter with medication, there has been concern that a residual amount of IPA travels to the patient and causes neurolysis. The literature review analyzed various neurolytic agents and their purposes when applied to clinical practice. IPA is not used as a neurolytic agent in clinical practice or even reported as an accidental agent in the literature. There is a need for continued research of IPA and its effects on cells. The purpose of this study was to determine if there is neurolysis caused by a direct application of 70% IPA to rat astrocyte cells at varying time intervals running from 5-60 minutes following trypan blue exclusions and hemocytometer analysis. The outcome was that alcohol concentration decreased as dry time increased after scrubbing the epidural catheter port with an IPA pad. The project resulted incomplete as it did not reach the steps of administering the found alcohol concentrations onto rat astrocytes for neurolysis. The results of this scholarly project provided evidence needed to assess the safety of scrubbing an epidural catheter port with a 70% IPA prep pad and possibly allow health organizations to develop policies based on the results and for further research.
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