Case Study: Heparin Flushes
Heparin Flushes Maintaining Central Line Patency
00972099
Gateway Community College
Abstract
A common problem that complicates use of central venous access devices (CVADs) is occlusion by thrombosis. Heparin has been used in flushing solutions in attempts to prolong the patency of arterial and central venous lines by preventing these occlusions. Its use, however is not without risks such as hypersensitivity reactions and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Recent studies suggest that non-heparinized solutions, such as saline, may be as effective in maintaining catheter patency. A recent heparin shortage allowed examination of heparin effectiveness in reducing CVAD thrombosis. Many studies have been performed during periods when heparin flushes …show more content…
These central lines include peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs), tunneled catheters, and implanted ports. Once placed, the central lines may be left in place for days and if they become occluded by clotted blood or some other mechanical obstruction they cannot be cleared by flushing agents. While a person is hospitalized, the nurse needs to check the IV site to make sure the catheter remains in the vein and is delivering a continuous solution. The nurse also needs to flush the catheter routinely to prevent it from clotting.
Heparin sodium is used as an anticoagulant in intravenous catheters in order to prevent clotting and minimize the incidence of phlebitis. Heparin infusion prolongs the duration of peripherally inserted central venous catheter usability, which permits a higher percentage of therapy completion without increasing adverse effects (Jeannette Robertson 1994) and other studies also found heparinized saline solution as a superior flushing agent to normal saline for IV lines in randomized control …show more content…
If the studies show that saline is as effective as heparin when flushing central lines, then the use of saline would avoid patient exposure to heparin-associated risks such as hypersensitivity reactions, local tissue damage, bleeding, and heparin induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). Saline will also increase the accuracy of the patient’s coagulation profile, enhancing patient management. And saline is more cost effective for institutions. But there are some studies that have shown an increase in infections when using saline over
00972099
Gateway Community College
Abstract
A common problem that complicates use of central venous access devices (CVADs) is occlusion by thrombosis. Heparin has been used in flushing solutions in attempts to prolong the patency of arterial and central venous lines by preventing these occlusions. Its use, however is not without risks such as hypersensitivity reactions and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Recent studies suggest that non-heparinized solutions, such as saline, may be as effective in maintaining catheter patency. A recent heparin shortage allowed examination of heparin effectiveness in reducing CVAD thrombosis. Many studies have been performed during periods when heparin flushes …show more content…
These central lines include peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs), tunneled catheters, and implanted ports. Once placed, the central lines may be left in place for days and if they become occluded by clotted blood or some other mechanical obstruction they cannot be cleared by flushing agents. While a person is hospitalized, the nurse needs to check the IV site to make sure the catheter remains in the vein and is delivering a continuous solution. The nurse also needs to flush the catheter routinely to prevent it from clotting.
Heparin sodium is used as an anticoagulant in intravenous catheters in order to prevent clotting and minimize the incidence of phlebitis. Heparin infusion prolongs the duration of peripherally inserted central venous catheter usability, which permits a higher percentage of therapy completion without increasing adverse effects (Jeannette Robertson 1994) and other studies also found heparinized saline solution as a superior flushing agent to normal saline for IV lines in randomized control …show more content…
If the studies show that saline is as effective as heparin when flushing central lines, then the use of saline would avoid patient exposure to heparin-associated risks such as hypersensitivity reactions, local tissue damage, bleeding, and heparin induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). Saline will also increase the accuracy of the patient’s coagulation profile, enhancing patient management. And saline is more cost effective for institutions. But there are some studies that have shown an increase in infections when using saline over