Coagulation-associated complications of indwelling arterial and central venous catheters during heparin prophylaxis--a prospective study.
A prospective observational study was carried out to investigate complications of arterial and venous indwelling catheters. All patients of a mixed NICU/PICU admitted during a 12-month period were enrolled in this study with a stringent protocol of catheter prophylaxis, using heparin via continuous infusion in a dose of 100 IU/kg/day body weight or at least 100 IU/kg/day for each arterial and/or central venous catheter. Patients were regularly monitored for edema, thrombus, ischemia and catheter obstruction, i.e. complications amenable to heparinization. A total of 292 catheters in 130 patients were recorded. Patients' weight ranged between approximately 600 g to 10,000 g. Depending on the insertion site or type of catheter the frequency of complications was as follows: edema 0-12%; catheter obstruction 7-24%; ischemia 28-40%. No case of persistent thrombosis was detected.


CONCLUSIONS
A stringent protocol of heparinization leads to a low incidence of complications potentially amenable to anticoagulation.
Hentschel
R
R
Department of Pediatrics, University of Freiburg, Germany.
Wiescholek
U
U
von Lengerke
J
J
Harms
E
E
Jorch
G
G
D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004617:Embolism / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000925:Anticoagulants; D006493:Heparin