Heparin dilution for catheter maintenance

Re: Heparin dilution for catheter maintenance

Martin Atkinson — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:32:20 GMT

Heparin flushing solution 100iu/ml. I doubt it makes much difference and would use saline for normal maintenance but use the heparin if a cannula was staying overnight.

Re: Heparin dilution for catheter maintenance

Louise6732 — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 10:07:37 GMT

[quote user="Evelyn Barbour-Hill"]I read somewhere - sorry, you scientists, I can't remember where - that it had been shown that using heparin had no significant effect and you might as well just use saline. [/quote]

I've read this too and can't remember where.

We're using saline or water for injection. We do have the pre-diluted hep flush for humans, I've never used it but our nurses though it was a bit stingy when injected, perhaps is too strong? Not at work now so not sure of dilution ratio

Louise

Re: Heparin dilution for catheter maintenance

Hannah Wynne Richards — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 09:08:08 GMT

I now use Hepflush, but many years ago what we used to do was draw some heparin into a sterile syringe, inject straight back into the bottle and then fill the syringe (2ml ) with distilled water-just enough heparin left to work

Wynne

Re: Heparin dilution for catheter maintenance

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 02:45:35 GMT

[quote user="Laurence Webb"]

We just buy ready made diluted heparin (trade name's HepFlush I think). It depends on how much you're requiring but it's more economical than a vial of heparin and a bag of fluids if you're only using small quantities.

[/quote]

We use a brand called Hepsal in ampoules. (Make sure you get the right strength - the dilute one!). They are a handy size and always there.

I read somewhere - sorry, you scientists, I can't remember where - that it had been shown that using heparin had no significant effect and you might as well just use saline. Well, what the heck, it does no harm, we'llgo on using Hepsal.

Re: Heparin dilution for catheter maintenance

Laurence Webb — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 22:09:36 GMT