Nina  Kobilica,Vojko  Flis,
Intraarterial Injection of Drugs of Abuse into Femoral Artery: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Surgical Case Reports
2021
2613-5965
http://dx.doi.org/10.31487/j.SCR.2021.02.12
https://www.sciencerepository.org/intraarterial-injection-of-drugs-of-abuse-into-femoral-artery_SCR-2021-2-112 
Abstract: Accidental intraarterial injection is a serious condition which can compromise the viability of the limb
within hours. There are no evidence based guidelines suggesting the proper treatment protocol and there is
no consensus about the ideal treatment for these events. We present a case where a mixture of
benzodiazepine pills and street heroin was injected in right femoral artery. Patient arrived in hospital days
after event. With intraarterial application of thrombolysis, vasodilators and heparin major amputation was
avoided. It seems that in selected cases combined therapy with rtPA lysis and PGE1 intra-arterial infusion
may prevent major limb amputation even in delayed presentation of acute leg ischaemia caused by
inadvertent injection of drugs of abuse.
Keywords: Drug abuse, intraarterial injection, amputation