Slow versus fast subcutaneous heparin injections for prevention of bruising and site-pain intensity

Comparison of 3 Methods to Prevent Pain and Bruising After Subcutaneous Heparin Administration

“…4 For this reason, slow SC injection and cold application are recommended in the literature. 13,17 In the present study, injecting the drug slowly (30-second injection duration) and cold application (5 minutes before and after injection) resulted in less site pain (research question 1, Table 3, Figure 2). Jaafari et al 21 suggested that an injection duration of 20 seconds resulted in significantly less pain at the injection site.…”

“…Similarly in other studies, it was found that 30-second injection duration caused lower levels of bruising than 10 seconds. 10,13,17 Cold application creates vasoconstriction at the injection site and slows blood flow, metabolism, and the inflammatory process. This exerts local physiological effects, thereby decreasing the incidence and size of bruises.…”