The Administration of Cephalothin Sodium Through a Central Venous Catheter: Physiologic Effects

Abstract

Cephalothin sodium was given prophylactically through a central venous catheter to patients having prosthetic graft insertions. Venous pH, Pco2, arterial pH, Pco2, P02, lead 2 electrocardiogram strip, and central venous pressures were recorded before and after the administration of the drug. The tests were run in an attempt to determine if there was any alteration in these parameters due to drug administration. No changes were noted in any of the blood gas, pH, ECG, or central venous pressure values. Arterial P02 changes could not be adequately analyzed due to the wide variation in P02. It was concluded that cephalothin sodium can be given safely through a central venous catheter, every six hours, in 2-gm doses diluted in 100 ml of 5 percent glucose in distilled water.