title: Prolonged interval in prophylactic heparin flushing for maintenance of subcutaneous implanted port care in patients with cancer.
abstract: The long-term use of subcutaneous implanted ports for chemotherapy in cancer patients has been associated with the occurrence of thrombosis and infection. In this study, we compared the safety and efficacy of administration of 1000 U of heparin flushes in prolonged interval (every 6 weeks) with standard dose and schedule (500 U every 4 weeks) for port-related infections and thrombosis during periods of non-use. Data were collected retrospectively from patients treated for various cancer types (matched as 2:1 for age, gender, stage of the disease). Patients who had diseases that could cause thrombosis or bleeding in their past medical history, or were taking oral anticoagulants, or had contraindications for heparin usage were excluded. After completing their chemotherapy, 59 patients received prolonged interval, while 30 patients received standard schedule. All patients were followed for at least 1 year. No clinically documented port-related infection or thrombosis has been found in both groups. Also, none of the devices was removed during this time. Prophylactic flushing of central venous ports with 1000 U of heparin in every 6 weeks might be a safe, easy, cheaper, comfortable and effective alternative to standard dose and schedule for preventing thrombosis and infections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Marmara University Medical School, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Kefeli
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dane
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Yumuk
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karamanoglu
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Iyikesici
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Basaran
authors.forename: N S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Turhal
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000209:etiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D006493:Heparin