Heparin vs Saline Infusion to Maintain Patency of Arterial Catheters in Children: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Noninferiority Trial.

Objective: To determine whether normal saline flush solution is noninferior to heparinised saline for maintaining the patency of arterial intravascular catheters in children.

Methods: A single centre, double blind, parallel group, noninferiority, randomized control study was conducted in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of Kanchi Kamakoti CHILDS Trust hospital, a tertiary children's hospital, Chennai, India. 92 children requiring arterial catheters for more than 12 hours were randomized to receive either normal saline or heparinized saline (1 U/ml) flush solution.