RESUMEN
OBJETIVO: Verificar se a heparina em lavagens intermitentes é eficaz em reduzir oclusões de cateteres centrais inseridos perifericamente em recém-nascidos. MÉTODOS: Estudo randomizado, aberto, controlado, prospectivo. Os recém-nascidos foram alocados em dois grupos para receber lavagens ("flushes") com 0,5 mL da solução de heparina 10UI/mL (Grupo 1, n = 64) ou com 0,5 mL de salina (Grupo 2, n = 69), a cada 4 horas através do cateter central inserido perifericamente. Foram realizadas manobras de desobstrução por pressão negativa ("3-way stopcock method") nos casos de oclusão. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 133 recém-nascidos. Não houve diferença significativa no número de oclusões inéditas entre os grupos (26 no grupo 1, ou 31/1000 dias de cateter; 36 no grupo 2, ou 36/1000 dias de cateter, P = 0,19). No grupo 1, 5 cateteres apresentaram 9 recidivas da obstrução, após uma tentativa de desobstrução bem sucedida. No grupo 2, 19 cateteres apresentaram 40 recidivas (P <0,0001), mostrando papel protetor da heparina contra recidivas da obstrução (risco relativo = 0,36). Contudo, a heparina não evitou a retirada por oclusão definitiva (3 cateteres no grupo 1 e 8 no grupo 2, P = 0,24). CONCLUSÃO: A heparina intermitente não é eficaz em evitar oclusão dos cateteres centrais inseridos perifericamente neonatais. Apenas reduz as recidivas, se realizadas manobras de desobstrução.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of intermittent 10 U/mL heparin flushes in reducing the occlusion of peripherally inserted central catheters in neonates. METHODS: In this randomized, open-label, prospective, controlled study, neonates were allocated either to receive 0.5 mL flushes of heparin (Group 1: n = 64) or saline (Group 2: n = 69) every 4 hours. Actions were taken to restore patency by using negative pressure (3-way stopcock method) in cases of occlusion. RESULTS: A total of 133 neonates were included. No significant intergroup difference was observed in the number of new occlusions (26 in Group 1, or 31/1,000 catheter-days; 36 in Group 2, or 36/1,000 catheter-days; P = 0.19). In Group 1, 5 catheters had 9 recurrent obstructions after successful clearance maneuvers. In Group 2, 19 catheters had 40 relapses (P < 0.0001), showing heparin's protective role against recurrence of obstruction (Relative Risk = 0.36). However, heparin failed to prevent catheter withdrawal due to permanent occlusion (3 catheters in Group 1 and 8 in Group 2; P = 0.24). CONCLUSION: Intermittent heparin is not effective for preventing the occlusion of peripherally inserted central catheters in neonates but reduces relapses when clearance maneuvers were successful.
RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of intermittent 10 U/mL heparin flushes in reducing the occlusion of peripherally inserted central catheters in neonates. METHODS: In this randomized, open-label, prospective, controlled study, neonates were allocated either to receive 0.5 mL flushes of heparin (Group 1: n = 64) or saline (Group 2: n = 69) every 4 hours. Actions were taken to restore patency by using negative pressure (3-way stopcock method) in cases of occlusion. RESULTS: A total of 133 neonates were included. No significant intergroup difference was observed in the number of new occlusions (26 in Group 1, or 31/1,000 catheter-days; 36 in Group 2, or 36/1,000 catheter-days; P = 0.19). In Group 1, 5 catheters had 9 recurrent obstructions after successful clearance maneuvers. In Group 2, 19 catheters had 40 relapses (P < 0.0001), showing heparin's protective role against recurrence of obstruction (Relative Risk = 0.36). However, heparin failed to prevent catheter withdrawal due to permanent occlusion (3 catheters in Group 1 and 8 in Group 2; P = 0.24). CONCLUSION: Intermittent heparin is not effective for preventing the occlusion of peripherally inserted central catheters in neonates but reduces relapses when clearance maneuvers were successful.
