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What is a Heparin Flush?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

A heparin flush is a procedure which is done to ensure that a catheter remains clear. The heparin prevents clotting inside the catheter so that medication can flow through it and blood can be taken from it for analysis. This procedure may be done by a care provider in a hospital setting or by a patient at home after the patient has been carefully instructed in how to perform a heparin flush. Patients who need to do flushes at home are usually given handouts as well as personal instruction by a nurse or doctor and it is important to be attentive as heparin flushes can be dangerous.

Catheters are tubes placed under the skin to secure venous access. They may be used in a wide variety of settings and for an assortment of purposes. For example, cancer patients are sometimes fitted with temporary catheters and ports for infusion of chemotherapy so that a nurse does not need to place a line for each treatment, and people in the hospital may be given intravenous lines so that medications can be delivered intravenously and to provide hospital personnel with fast access to the patient's veins.

A heparin flush may be conducted to ensure that a catheter remains clear.
A heparin flush may be conducted to ensure that a catheter remains clear.

The longer a catheter is left in place, the higher the probability that it will become blocked by blood clots or other foreign materials. For this reason, the catheter periodically needs to be flushed with a solution which will clear the line. If this is not done, the patient could develop an infection, the catheter could rupture, or the patient's medications might not be delivered.

People in a hospital may be given intravenous lines so medications can be delivered intravenously.
People in a hospital may be given intravenous lines so medications can be delivered intravenously.

With a heparin flush, a diluted solution of heparin is injected into the catheter. Heparin is an anticoagulant and it will break up any clots which might be forming in the catheter. Doctors may also use a saline flush, in which the catheter is flushed with sterile saline; sometimes both types of flush are used in catheter management. The heparin flush needs to be performed consistently to keep the catheter clear.

An IV may be administered in the back of the hand if the veins in the arm are unaccessible.
An IV may be administered in the back of the hand if the veins in the arm are unaccessible.

The heparin solution designed for heparin flushes is not designed for oral or injectable use. It has been formulated specifically for use with catheters, and it is important to use the right dosage, which depends on the type of catheter and the patient. Some companies manufacture heparin flush syringes which are prepackaged with diluted doses and are ready for use. In other cases, a syringe must be prepared for each flush.

One common complication of a heparin flush is bleeding problems. Patients should report symptoms like bleeding gums, dark urine, and unusual bruising to their physicians.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon301794

We use 20 IU/ml.

anon236469

This may seem stupid, but I have a large supply of heparin syringes which are no longer needed. Can they be used to store hard contact lenses, or to use as a rinse after storing them in saline solution? Are they dangerous to the eyes?

anon165239

What concentration of heparin is most commonly used to do a heparin flush?

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    • A heparin flush may be conducted to ensure that a catheter remains clear.
      By: Jacob Kearns
      A heparin flush may be conducted to ensure that a catheter remains clear.
    • People in a hospital may be given intravenous lines so medications can be delivered intravenously.
      By: Kadmy
      People in a hospital may be given intravenous lines so medications can be delivered intravenously.
    • An IV may be administered in the back of the hand if the veins in the arm are unaccessible.
      By: Voyagerix
      An IV may be administered in the back of the hand if the veins in the arm are unaccessible.
    • Heparin is often used to flush central line catheters to prevent blood from clotting in the tubes.
      By: Photographee.eu
      Heparin is often used to flush central line catheters to prevent blood from clotting in the tubes.
    • Some people who require frequent intravenous access may opt to have a port placed under the skin instead.
      Some people who require frequent intravenous access may opt to have a port placed under the skin instead.
    • A heparin flush may be performed by a care provider in a hospital setting, or by a patient in their home.
      By: supojpp
      A heparin flush may be performed by a care provider in a hospital setting, or by a patient in their home.
    • One common complication of a heparin flush is bleeding gums.
      By: pressmaster
      One common complication of a heparin flush is bleeding gums.