Flushing and locking of intravenous catheters are thought to be essential in the prevention of occlusion. The clinical sign of an\nocclusion is catheter malfunction and flushing is strongly recommended to ensure a well-functioning catheter. Therefore fluid\ndynamics, flushing techniques, and sufficient flushing volumes are important matters in adequate flushing in all catheter types. If\na catheter is not in use, it is locked. For years, it has been thought that the catheter has to be filled with an anticoagulant to prevent\ncatheter occlusion. Heparin has played a key role in locking venous catheters. However, the high number of risks associated with\nheparin forces us to look for alternatives. A long time ago, 0.9% sodium chloride was already introduced as locking solution in\nperipheral cannulas.More recently, a 0.9% sodium chloride lock has also been investigated in other types of catheters.Thrombolytic\nagents have also been studied as a locking solution because their antithrombotic effect was suggested as superior to heparin. Other\ncatheter lock solutions focus on the anti-infective properties of the locks such as antibiotics and chelating agents. Still, the most\neffective locking solution will depend on the catheter type and the patient�s condition.
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