Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
To determine whether heparin sodium, when added to fluids infused through a peripheral catheter, reduces some local catheter-related problems (i.e., phlebitis, catheter obstruction, and extravasation of fluid) and extends the catheter's useful life.
DESIGN:
Prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled.
SETTING:
Internal medicine ward of a general hospital with 400 beds.
PATIENTS:
Eighty-one consecutive acute collaborating patients who had a venous catheter in the forearm, inserted by nurses with more than one year of professional experience.
INTERVENTION:
Heparin sodium 1000 units/mL or NaCl 0.9% was added to compatible infusion fluids just before they were given to the patients. The final concentration of heparin was 1 unit/mL.
MEASUREMENTS:
Length of time until catheters were removed and reasons for their removal.
RESULTS:
The heparin group had a lower rate of local catheter-related problems than the placebo group (34.3 vs. 61.5 percent, respectively, p<0.05; 95 percent confidence interval for the difference 4.3 to 50.1 percent). The catheter's mean life in the heparin group was longer than that of the placebo group (98.9 ± 55.2 vs. 66.2 ± 47.2 h, respectively, p<0.05; 95 percent confidence interval for the difference 9.15 to 56.25 h). This effect was mainly attributable to prevention of noninflammatory catheter-related problems (e.g., obstruction, extravasation) and to a delay in the appearance of phlebitis.
CONCLUSIONS:
Heparin sodium, when added to infusion fluids to a final concentration of 1 unit/mL, diminishes local intravenous catheter-related problems and extends the catheter's life.
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