Effects of different heparin-locking solution concentrations on coagulation indicators of patients with peripherally-inserted central catheters: A meta-analysis

Jiajia Xu¹, Xiaohong Zhang^2*

¹General Medical Department, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030032, China^. - ²Nursing Department, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University,Taiyuan, 030032, China

Introduction: The study was to systematically evaluate the effects of different concentrations of heparin-locking solution (HLS) on coagulation indicators in patients with a peripherally-inserted central catheter (PICC).

Materials and methods: Both randomized controlled trials and experimental studies were retrospectively retrieved from the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, PubMed, the China National Knowledge Internet (CNKI), Weipu (VIP), and the Wanfang database from the establishment of the database to 30 November 2017.

Results: Seven studies involving 614 patients were included. The results showed that the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) in the 10 U/ml and 100 U/ml HLS groups was significantly longer than the pre-catheterization aPTT, while the aPTT and thrombin time (TT) in the 100 U/ml HLS group was significantly longer than the 50 U/ml HLS group. In contrast, the plasma fibrinogen (Fib) and catheter blockage rate (CTR).  in the 100 U/ml HLS group were significantly lower than the 50 U/ml HLS group. The effects of 10-125 U/ml HLS on the prothrombin time (PT), TT, and Fib level were not significant.

Conclusion: In summary, this study indicates that with the increased concentrations of HLS, both the coagulation indicators and the BTR were significantly changed, providing clinical guidance for the clinician in using HLS for patients with PICC.