EFFECTS OF LOW-DOSE HEPARIN ON FAILURE OF INTRAVENOUS INFUSIONS IN CHILDREN

Objective: To determine if a dextrose-saline solution manufactured und er commercial conditions and containing 1 IU per ml of heparin prolong s the use of infusion sites in children. Design: Double-blind randomiz ed trial. Patients: Eight children in a medical ward. Outcome Measures : Failure of infusion sites from phlebitis and/or extravasation. Inter vention: Duration of use of infusion sites was calculated to the neare st hour. Statistics: Univariate survival analysis. Results: The median time to failure when solutions contained the heparin (97 hours) was s ignificantly increased (p < 0.0001) compared with control solutions (4 3 hours). Conclusions: Use of solutions containing low-dose heparin is recommended for children who might have problems with venous access.