Cardiac Cath Lab heparin dosages

[canned_bread]

Hi all,

I found out today from an agency nurse working in my CCL that she has seen different cath labs using many different dosages of heparin in their premade heparin bags (we make up the bags for the days cases at the start).

For neuro cases, we used 2500u heparin in a 1L bag of NaCl. For cardiac, 10000u in 1L. These bags are used for the transducer if doing pressures (cardiac), and for flushing the catheters/sheaths and also for the bowl that holds wires. On top of that, depending on situations, the doctor may give heparin as per patient weight.

Anyway, for those working in the CCL, how much heparin do you use in your bags? According to this nurse, we use a lot more than her other cath labs. We do not have a high rate of haematomas at all, and VERY rarely do I see clotted sheaths when I pull them.

I cannot find a study on this topic either - but if anyone has done post-grad work they will know there isn't an over-abundance on cath lab studies!

Thank you.

[Flyboy17]

In our CCL we use 2000 units in 1 liter NS for our flush bags. If we need to give the patient any Heparin for a PCI or Radial access the Doc gives IA. Our Hopsital is really trying to be proactive when it comes to H.I.T. so we keep our Heparin use very low. In fact if some does have HIT we will not use any Heparin.

[lmarquez69]

In both labs that I have worked in we always put 1500 units in a liter bag. I really thought that was the norm, but I guess no.