Avoiding Heparinization of Arterial Line and Maintaining Acceptable Arterial Waveform After Cardiac Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND: Invasive and continuous blood pressure (BP) monitoring is crucial after cardiac surgery. Accuracy of BP measurement mostly depends on patency of arterial catheter and acceptable waveform. Heparinized saline flush usually used for this purpose may be accompanied by potential heparin adverse effects. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare heparinized and non-heparinized saline flush to maintain acceptable arterial waveform after cardiac surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a double blind randomized trial study, 100 patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery were randomized to using heparinized (n = 50) or non-heparinized (normal) saline flush (n = 50) to maintain patency of arterial catheter after operation. Indwelling arterial catheters were checked daily for acceptable arterial waveform for three days as primary outcome measures. RESULTS: Frequency of acceptable arterial waveform ranged from 66% to 80%, in first, second and third postoperative days. There were no statistically significant differences between heparinized and non-heparinized saline groups regarding acceptable arterial waveforms in all the three postoperative days (all P values > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Using non-heparinized normal saline is suitable to maintain acceptable arterial waveform for short-term (three days) after adult cardiac surgery considering potential adverse effects of heparin.