OBJECTIVE: To compare two systems of arterial catheters maintenance in postoperative
pediatric surgery using intermittent or continuous infusion of heparin
solution and to analyze adverse events related to the site of catheter
insertion and the volume of infused heparin solution. METHODS: Randomized control trial with 140 patients selected for continuous infusion
group (CIG) and intermittent infusion group (IIG). The variables analyzed
were: type of heart disease, permanence time and size of the catheter,
insertion site, technique used, volume of heparin solution and adverse
events. The descriptive variables were analyzed by Student's
t-test and the categorical variables, by chi-square
test, being significant p<0.05. RESULTS: The median age was 11 (0-22) months, and 77 (55%) were females. No
significant differences between studied variables were found, except for the
volume used in CIG (12.0±1.2mL/24 hours) when compared to IIG (5.3±3.5mL/24
hours) with p<0.0003. CONCLUSIONS: The continuous infusion system and the intermittent infusion of heparin
solution can be used for intra-arterial catheters maintenance in
postoperative pediatric surgery, regardless of patient's clinical and
demographic characteristics. Adverse events up to the third postoperative
day occurred similarly in both groups. However, the intermittent infusion
system usage in underweight children should be considered, due to the lower
volume of infused heparin solution [ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
NCT01097031].