Heparin vs. saline for peripheral i.v. locks in children.

PURPOSE

To determine the efficacy of saline versus heparin flush solution to maintain peripheral i.v. locks in a pediatric population.

METHOD

A prospective, randomized, double-blind design was used. A sample of 124 peripheral i.vs. were flushed with either saline or heparin in saline. Subjects were infants over 28 days of age and children.

FINDINGS

The heparin and saline groups were comparable for total hours duration of the i.v. and for incidence of complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Saline is efficacious in maintaining patency of peripheral i.v. locks in children over 28 days of age.