title: Accuracy of coagulation values obtained from a heparinized central venous catheter.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare coagulation values of blood samples drawn from heparinized central venous catheters (CVCs) and peripheral veins.
  
  
  METHODS
  Correlational.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adult, acute-care hematology/oncology unit in a 1,000-bed teaching hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve adult patients with cancer who had varied diagnoses and patent CVCs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Simultaneous blood samples were drawn from the CVC and a peripheral vein and were tested for prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT).
  
  
  METHODS
  PT and aPTT values.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PT and aPTT values were significantly prolonged in samples drawn from CVCs when compared to peripherally drawn samples.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Accurate coagulation values cannot be obtained from a heparinized CVC.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Blood for coagulation values should be obtained from peripheral veni-puncture. Further research should explore the effects of various catheters, heparin dwell time, and systemic anticoagulation on coagulation values.
authors.affiliation: St. Joseph's Hospital, Phoenix, AZ.
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Pinto
mesh_terms: D015982:Bias; D001800:Blood Specimen Collection / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006493:Heparin; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000451:nursing; D010314:Partial Thromboplastin Time; D011517:Prothrombin Time; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
chemical_list: D006493:Heparin