Medication error: Subarachnoid injection of tranexamic acid

Abstract

Some factors have been identified as contributing to medical errors, such as labels, appearance and location of ampoules. We present a case of accidental injection of tranexamic acid instead of Bupivacaine during spinal anaesthesia. One minute after the injection of 3 mL of the solution, the patient developed myoclonus of her lower extremities. Accidental intrathecal injection of the wrong drug was suspected and a used ampoule of tranexamic acid was discovered in the trash can. The ampoules of Bupivacaine (5 mg/mL, trade name "Sensovac Heavy") and tranexamic acid (500 mg/mL, Trade name "Nexamin") were similar in appearance. Her myoclonus was successfully treated with phenytoin, sodium valproate, thiopental sodium infusion, midazolam infusion and supportive care of haemodynamic and respiratory systems. The surgery was temporarily deferred. The patient′s condition progressively improved to full recovery.

Keywords

• Myoclonic jerks
• spinal anaesthesia
• tranexamic acid