title: Heparin-lock maintenance with ten units of sodium heparin in one milliliter of normal saline solution.
abstract: A rapid increase in use of heparin-lock to maintain patency of established intravenous pathways for intermittent and emergency intravenous injections of drugs has given rise to questions concerning the necessary heparin-saline solution concentration to prevent coagulation and minimize or avoid systemic effects of heparin on blood clotting. A series of experimental and clinical studies followed by clinical observations and evaluation have shown that a concentration of 10 U.S.P. units of sodium heparin per milliliter of normal saline solution will maintain patency of heparin-locks without affecting the clotting time, prothrombin time or activated partial thromboplastin time. A procedure of flushing the heparin-lock with 1 milliliter of the recommended heparin-saline solution following each intravenous injection of medication or every eight hours, if medications are not given more frequently, is suggested.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001777:Blood Coagulation / Q000187:drug effects; D002404:Catheterization / Q000379:methods*; D004285:Dogs; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D011517:Prothrombin Time; D011817:Rabbits; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013925:Thromboplastin
chemical_list: D012965:Sodium Chloride; D006493:Heparin; D013925:Thromboplastin