Implication of foam sclerosant inactivation by human whole blood in a laboratory setting.

Background During sclerotherapy, it has been recommended to confirm intravenous placement of the needle by aspirating blood into the sclerosant syringe. This may inactivate some, or all of the sclerosant. Aims To quantify the volume of human blood needed to completely inactivate 1 ml of sodium tetradecyl sulphate, and comparing fresh blood and blood that has been stored in an ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid tube.