Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 13, 2026

A Protocol to Set Up Needle-Free Connector with Positive Displacement on Central Venous Catheter in Intensive Care Unit
Published on: July 13, 2019
[Comparison between saline solution and heparin in arterial catheter patency in intensive care units: a systematic
Mónica Vázquez-Calatayud1, Mari Carmen Portillo
1UCI, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Universidad de Navarra, Escuela Universitaria de Enfermería, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Navarra, España. mvazca@unav.es
Objective:
To find the best scientific evidence on the effectiveness of the saline solution compared with heparin in maintaining patency of the arterial cannula in intensive care units.
Method:
A review of the evidence was made using the databases: MEDLINE, CINAHL, CUIDEN and Cochrane Library. The criteria that limited the search were: the type of study (randomised control trials (RCTs), systematic reviews and/or meta-analysis), the year of publication of studies (1990-2009) and language, English and / or Spanish. Finally, a critical appraisal of selected papers was carried out.
Results:
Two meta-analysis and six RCTs were identified and analysed. Results from one of the meta-analysis and two RCTs supported the use of heparin for maintaining peripheral arterial catheter patency. In the rest, however, no significant differences were found regarding the arterial catheter patency between the control (saline) and intervention (heparin).
Conclusions:
Recent studies suggest that it is not necessary to use heparin to maintain a patent arterial catheter. From this review the performing of a nationwide multicentre study is proposed to implement the use of saline in Spain.
Related Concept Videos
Parentral Nutrition: Centeral and Peripheral Parental Nutrition
PN can be administered through two primary routes:
1. Central Parenteral Nutrition (CPN):
CPN involves delivering a high concentration of nutrients through a large vein. This is typically achieved using a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) or,...
Cardiac Catheterization I: Pre-Procedure Overview
Cardiac Catheterization IV: Nursing Management
Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins
Cardiac Catheterization II: Right Heart Catheterization

