No Need for Heparin Lock in Short-Term Hemodialysis Catheters

In a letter to the editor of Intensive Care Medicine Soubirou et al. present the result of a study looking at the efficacy and safety of saline lock solution in maintaining short term hemodialysis catheters patency in ICU. This prospective cohort study looked at 100 double lumen hemodialysis catheters inserted in 75 patients managed with intermitted hemodialysis. At the end of each session the lumens were flushed with normal saline only. The investigators found no difference to 5 other studies using heparin or citrate.

Conclusion: Heparin is not necessary in this setting, citrate is an alternative, but saline seems just as good.


Soubirou JF et al. Intensive Care Med. 2014 June

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