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A continuous heparin infusion does not prevent catheter-related thrombosis in infants after cardiac surgery.

Author(s): Schroeder AR, Axelrod DM, Silverman NH, Rubesova E, Merkel E, Roth SJ

Affiliation(s): Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA. Alan.Schroeder@hhs.sccgov.org

Publication date & source: 2010-07, Pediatr Crit Care Med., 11(4):489-95.

Publication type: Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a continuous infusion of heparin reduces the rate of catheter-related thrombosis in neonates and infants post cardiac surgery. Central venous and intracardiac catheters are used routinely in postoperative pediatric cardiac patients. Catheter-related thrombosis occurs in 8% to 45% of pediatric patients with central venous catheters. DESIGN: Single-center, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded trial. SETTING: Cardiovascular intensive care unit, university-affiliated children's hospital. PATIENTS: Children <1 yr of age recovering from cardiac surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized to receive either continuous heparin at 10 units/kg/hr or placebo. The primary end point was catheter-related thrombosis as assessed by serial ultrasonography. RESULTS: Study enrollment was discontinued early based on results from an interim futility analysis. Ninety subjects were enrolled and received the study drug (heparin, 53; placebo, 37). The catheter-related thrombosis rate in the heparin group, compared with the placebo group, was 15% vs. 16% (p = .89). Subjects in the heparin group had a higher mean partial thromboplastin time (52 secs vs. 42 secs, p = .001), and this difference was greater for those aged <30 days (64 secs vs. 43 secs, p = .008). Catheters in place > or = 7 days had both a greater risk of thrombus formation (odds ratio, 4.3; p = .02) and catheter malfunction (odds ratio, 11.2; p = .008). We observed no significant differences in other outcome measures or in the frequency of adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: A continuous infusion of heparin at 10 units/kg/hr was safe but did not reduce catheter-related thrombus formation. Heparin at this dose caused an increase in partial thromboplastin time values, which, unexpectedly, was more pronounced in neonates.

Page last updated: 2010-10-05

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