Long gone are the multiple-use tourniquets made from rubber tubing. Single-use latex-free tourniquets are now used industry-wide. Manufacturers have developed multicolored tourniquets meant to stand out against the color of the skin or the patient's clothes in order to prevent them from being left on after the procedure is completed.
Latex-free and colorful tourniquets are not the only changes, pressure cuff-like tourniquets are coming in. Vein Access Technologies, has proposed that each time the tourniquet is applied, the vein will distend and thin resulting in venous system leakage into the subcutaneous tissues. The result of this can falsely elevate blood components due to hemoconcentration. Their theory is that when intravenous pressure exceeds 20 mm Hg, (which happens each time a tourniquet is applied), there is immediate extravasation of intravascular fluids out of the venous system and into the extravascular tissue. The group has responded to this by developing a device called the Venicuff which could replace the tourniquet. It works similarly to a blood pressure cuff but limits the amount of pressure to 20 mm Hg. It is always placed halfway between the shoulder and the antecubital line. The cuff portion of the device is disposable.
BD Vacutainer® Stretch latex-free tourniquet courtesy of © Becton, Dickinson and Company Reprinted with permission
