PERIPHERAL INTRAVENOUS LINE SURVIVAL AND PHLEBITIS PREVENTION IN PATIENTS RECEIVING INTRAVENOUS ANTIBIOTICS - HEPARIN HYDROCORTISONE VERSUSIN-LINE FILTERS

OBJECTIVE: To compare the use of in-line filtration with the addition of heparin/hydrocortisone (hep/hc) to the infusate for both phlebitis prevention arid intravenous (iv) tine survival in peripheral iv cathet ers. This study was specific for a patient group receiving prolonged c ourses of iv antibiotics. Analysis of the two endpoints for convention al short iv catheters (short lines) versus long (30 cm) iv catheters ( long lines) was also performed. METHODS: Patients with cystic fibrosis receiving intermittent iv antibiotics were randomly allocated to rece ive their drugs either through an in-fine filter using a drug-free inf usate or with no filter arid an infusate containing heparin 500 units and hydrocortisone 10 mg/L. Infusion sites were assessed daily. RESULT s: Both the hep/hc and filter groups were similar in terms of phlebiti s incidence and iv line survival when analyzed separately for both sho rt and long lines. Long lines displayed markedly prolonged survival ti mes and reduced phlebitis compared with short lines. CONCLUSIONS: The effectiveness of iv filters in excluding the large particle load intro duced by iv antibiotics and hence in reducing the subsequent phlebitis makes them a useful alternative to the use of hep/hc. The use of filt ers in this patient group may offer advantages in terms of ease of use arid a possible decrease in hep/hc-related problems. Long lines offer practical advantages over short lines for patients requiring longer t erm iv access.