Comparison of heparin and 0.9% sodium chloride injection in the maintenance of indwelling intermittent i.v. devices.

Heparin sodium 10 units/mL was compared with 0.9% sodium chloride injection as a flush solution for indwelling intermittent i.v. devices, or i.v. locks (IVLs), in a prospective, randomized, double-blind study. The heparin and 0.9% sodium chloride injections were prepared in the pharmacy using aseptic technique. Most of the IVLs were inserted by an i.v. therapy team member. Each patient's IVL site was evaluated for phlebitis and patency by one of three study nurses, and when a catheter was removed, its contents were flushed so that clots or fibrin strands could be detected. Nurses also collected information regarding disease states, surgical procedures, medications administered, and how long each site lasted. A total of 173 sites were studied in 76 patients in the heparin group, and 131 sites were studied in 71 patients in the sodium chloride group. The groups were well matched, except that the sodium chloride group received more vancomycin and dextrose-containing i.v. solutions, while the heparin group received more penicillins. There was no significant difference in the incidence of phlebitis or lost patency between the groups. When locks through which vancomycin, penicillins, and dextrose-containing i.v. solutions were administered were excluded, there was still no significant difference between the groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)