None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
We plan to test the hypothesis that, in children with central lines admitted to intensive care, intravenous (through a drip) heparin at a low dose prevents clots developing around the central line, compared to saline, an inactive placebo. Clots will be sought using ultrasound.
Interventions
Intravenous unfractionated heparin 10 units per kilogram per hour started <12hours after central venous catheter insertion and continued while the catheter is in place.
Route of insertion (femoral or internal jugular) is at the physician's discretion.
Sponsors
Women's and Children's Hospital
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Prevention
Masking
Blinded (masking used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
0 to 18 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Children 0-18 years old Central venous catheter inserted and likely to be in place >24 hours
Exclusion criteria
CVCs inserted surgically e.g. Brouviac or Hickman CVCs or subcutaneous ports. Percutaneously central catheters (PICC) inserted via a peripheral vein. Subclavian CVCs Patients with a known thrombophilia, coagulopathy (APTT (activated partial thromboplastin time)>50 s for >30 days old, >55 s for =30 days old ) or receiving anticoagulant medication, other than low dose heparin. For intravenous heparin, low dose means = 3 U/kg/hour, used to maintain CVC patency. Patients with a platelet count of <50 000 x 109 /L Patients who have known central vein thrombosis in the affected vein. Patients who have already participated in the study. The unit of randomisation is patient, not catheter. Patients with a known allergy to heparin, or with a past history of heparin-induced thrombocytopaenia
Outcome results
None listed