title: Heparinized solution vs. saline solution in the maintenance of arterial catheters: a double blind randomized clinical trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objectives were to analyze the effectiveness of heparinized solution vs. saline solution for the maintenance of arterial catheters and to detect changes in the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and platelet count in the samples extracted from both groups of arterial catheters.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Intensive Care Unit of a third-level hospital in Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and thirty-three patients were included in the trial. The selection criteria were: adults, informed consent, not receiving either full-dose anticoagulant or fibrinolytic treatment, and no thrombocytopenia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-five patients received heparinized solution (1 IU/ml) and 68 received saline solution.
  
  
  METHODS
  Arterial catheter functionality was compared in the groups every 8 h and at catheter removal. Patency, reliability of arterial pressure, and curve quality were used to evaluate the functionality of the catheters. Blood was drawn, discarding 7.5 ml, from the arterial catheter and from the venouscatheter simultaneously for coagulation tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median duration of catheters being in place was 5.1 days (IQR = 8.1) in the heparin group, and 5.4 (IQR = 7.3) in the saline group (p = 0.7). Kaplan-Meier curves showed no differences between groups (p = 0.6). The number of manipulations required to maintain the patency of the arterial catheters was 35% vs. 40% (p = 0.5). The heparin group had a significantly longer aPTT (2.1 +/- .3 vs. 1.25 +/- 0.3, p = 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of heparinized solution for arterial catheter maintenance doesnot appear to be justified. It did not increase the duration of the catheters, nor did it improve their functionality significantly. On the other hand, heparin Na altered aPTT significantly.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Mútua de Terrassa, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Plaza Dr. Robert 5, 08221 Terrassa, Spain. mercedes7870@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Mercedes
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Del Cotillo
authors.forename: Núria
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Grané
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Llavoré
authors.forename: Salvador
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Quintana
mesh_terms: D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010314:Partial Thromboplastin Time; D010976:Platelet Count; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012996:Solutions; D014654:Vascular Patency
chemical_list: D012996:Solutions; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D006493:Heparin