Randomized trial comparing pulse calcitriol and alfacalcidol for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in haemodialysis patients.

Aim: Calcitriol and alfacalcidol are used extensively for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism. Unfortunately, there is limited published data comparing the efficacy and tolerability of both active vitamin D sterols. This study was undertaken to determine whether calcitriol provides a therapeutic advantage to alfacalcidol.

Switching from heparinized saline flush to normal saline flush for maintaining peripheral venous catheter patency.

Background: The practice of using heparinized saline as a flush fluid for maintaining peripheral venous catheter patency of hospitalized patients in Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand is not evidence-based.

Objective: To switch from heparinized saline flush to normal saline flush for maintaining peripheral venous catheter patency in the patients hospitalized to medical wards.

Methods: Study sites were 10 medical wards containing 240 beds.