Effect of Near-Infrared Vein Finder Technology on Success Rate of Cannulation in Obese Diabetic Patients

Intravenous cannulation is needed in about 90% of patients admitted to hospitals to administer medications or replace fluids, which is difficult to perform in obese patients with diabetes.

The present study aimed to assess the effect of using near-infrared vein finder technology on the success rate of cannulation in obese patients with diabetes.

This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 92 eligible patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity at Al-Rusafa hospitals in Baghdad, Iraq, in September 2021. The subjects were divided into the intervention (n = 46) and control (n = 46) groups. However, cannulation using near-infrared vein finder technology was only performed for the intervention group. The data were collected using a demographic and clinical data questionnaire and a chronometer.

The success rates of cannulation for the first time were 60.9% and 15.2% in the intervention and control groups, respectively. The mean values of procedural time were 53.2 ± 28.9 and 94.3 ± 41.5 seconds in the intervention and control groups, respectively. The independent effects of patients’ body mass index (P = 0.002) and skin color (P = 0.040) on procedural time were significant.

The use of near-infrared vein finder technology in obese diabetic patients reduces procedural time and venipuncture attempts.