HEPARIN-LOCK MAINTENANCE WITH 10 UNITS OF SODIUM HEPARIN IN ONE MILLILITER OF NORMAL SALINE SOLUTION

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 142  (3) , 373-376
Abstract
A rapid increase in use of heparin-lock to maintain patency of established i.v. pathways for intermittent and emergency i.v. injections of drugs has given rise to questions concerning the necessary heparin-saline solution concentration to prevent coagulation and minimize or avoid systemic effects of heparin on blood clotting. A series of experimental (dog, rabbit) and human clinical studies followed by clinical observations and evaluation have shown that a concentration of 10 U.S.P. units of sodium heparin/ml of normal saline solution will maintain patency of heparin-locks without affecting the clotting time, prothrombin time or activated partial thromboplastin time. A procedure of flushing the heparin-lock with 1 ml of the recommended heparin-saline solution following each i.v. injection of medication or every eight hours, if medications are not given more frequently, is suggested.

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