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Does Low‐Dose Heparin Maintain Central Venous Access Device Patency?
Author(s) -
Jonker Mark A.,
Osterby Kurt R.,
Vermeulen Lee C.,
Kleppin Susan M.,
Kudsk Kenneth A.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of parenteral and enteral nutrition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.935
H-Index - 98
eISSN - 1941-2444
pISSN - 0148-6071
DOI - 10.1177/0148607110362082
Subject(s) - medicine , heparin , thrombosis , saline , peripherally inserted central catheter , anesthesia , venous thrombosis , anticoagulant , catheter , surgery
Background: A common problem that complicates use of central venous access devices (CVADs) is occlusion by thrombosis. Alteplase, a recombinant tissue plasminogen activator, is used to restore line patency when thrombosis occurs. Heparin flush is commonly used to prevent this complication, but the effectiveness of this practice is unclear. A recent heparin shortage allowed examination of heparin effectiveness in reducing CVAD thrombosis. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed by querying a pharmacy database for alteplase use for CVAD thrombosis in adult patients during periods when heparin flushes (10 units/mL) were used and when saline flushes were used instead because of a nationwide heparin shortage. The number of patients receiving alteplase, the number of doses administered, and the total amount of alteplase used were compared over 1‐month intervals of heparin flush use and 1‐month intervals of saline flush use. Patient days and critical care patient days were compared between these time intervals. Peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line placements and replacements between time periods of heparin and saline flush were also compared. Results: Significant increases in the number of patients receiving alteplase ( P = .04), the number of alteplase doses administered ( P = .04), and total dose of alteplase used ( P = .05) occurred during the heparin shortage. No significant differences in patient population were observed. The percentage of PICC line replacements also increased significantly ( P < .05) when heparin was not available. Conclusions: Heparin flush (10 units/mL) decreases thrombotic occlusions of CVADs, resulting in decreased alteplase use and fewer PICC line replacements.