Intermittent heparin is not effective at preventing the occlusion of peripherally inserted central venous catheters in preterm and term neonates

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of intermittent 10 U/mL heparin flushes in reducing the occlusion of peripherally inserted central catheters in neonates.

Methods: In this randomized, open-label, prospective, controlled study, neonates were allocated either to receive 0.5 mL flushes of heparin (Group 1: n = 64) or saline (Group 2: n = 69) every 4 hours. Actions were taken to restore patency by using negative pressure (3-way stopcock method) in cases of occlusion.

Results: A total of 133 neonates were included. No significant intergroup difference was observed in the number of new occlusions (26 in Group 1, or 31/1,000 catheter-days; 36 in Group 2, or 36/1,000 catheter-days; P = 0.19). In Group 1, 5 catheters had 9 recurrent obstructions after successful clearance maneuvers. In Group 2, 19 catheters had 40 relapses (P < 0.0001), showing heparin's protective role against recurrence of obstruction (Relative Risk = 0.36). However, heparin failed to prevent catheter withdrawal due to permanent occlusion (3 catheters in Group 1 and 8 in Group 2; P = 0.24).

Conclusion: Intermittent heparin is not effective for preventing the occlusion of peripherally inserted central catheters in neonates but reduces relapses when clearance maneuvers were successful.