A randomized trial of heparin and saline for maintaining intravenous locks in neonates.

PURPOSE To determine the effects of saline, heparin 2 units (U) per ml saline, and heparin 10 U/ml saline flush solutions on the duration of intravenous (i.v.) locks and the incidence of i.v. infiltration in neonates. DESIGN Randomized double-blind experiment. SETTING Tertiary-care nursery. PARTICIPANTS Neonates (N = 90) hospitalized at birth in the intensive, intermediate care, or newborn units. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Total hours from the time the i.v. was inserted to the time the i.v. was removed; hours from the time the i.v. was first flushed to the time the i.v. was removed; number of i.vs. removed because of infiltration. RESULTS No statistical or clinical differences between the three groups for duration of i.v. nor for incidence of complications. CONCLUSIONS The use of heparin in i.v. lock flush solution did not affect the duration of i.v. locks nor the incidence of infiltration in neonates.