Heparin and infusion phlebitis: a prospective study.
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.


METHODS
Prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled.


METHODS
Internal medicine ward of a general hospital with 400 beds.


METHODS
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.


METHODS
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.


METHODS
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 less than 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 placebo group (98.9 +/- 55.2 vs. 66.2 +/- 47.2 h, respectively, p less than 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.
Nieto-Rodriguez
J A
JA
Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Virgen de la Luz, Cuenca, Spain.
Garcìa-Martìn
M A
MA
Barreda-Hernandez
M D
MD
Hervàs
M J
MJ
Cano-Real
O
O
D000368:Aged; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010689:Phlebitis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies
D006493:Heparin