Heparin IV Flush

Heparin IV flush solutions keep intravenous lines and central venous catheters patent by preventing clot formation between infusions. For nurses managing PICC lines, implanted ports, and central lines, a reliable locking flush is the difference between a functional access point and a occlusion that means a painful, costly restart. Hospitals, infusion centers, dialysis units, and home infusion providers stock heparin flush as a standing part of their line-maintenance protocol.

The most common concentrations you'll see are 10 units/mL and 100 units/mL, supplied in prefilled syringes that reduce preparation time and the dosing errors that come with drawing up from a vial. Prefilled formats also support aseptic technique — one of the leading defenses against catheter-related bloodstream infections. Clinicians typically follow the SASH sequence (saline, administer, saline, heparin) so that heparin serves as the final lock after the line has been cleared with a normal saline flush.

Choosing between heparin and a saline-only protocol depends on the device and your facility's policy. Many peripheral IVs and some newer catheters are maintained with saline alone, while ports and central lines often still call for a heparin lock to hold patency over longer dwell times. Match the concentration and volume to the catheter type, and confirm compatibility before locking any line.

Heparin flush works alongside the rest of a well-stocked line cart. Pair it with normal saline and prefilled syringes from our Injection & IV Therapy range, dressing-change and securement products under IV Access, and tubing, sets, and pumps within IV Administration to keep every access site protected from insertion through discontinuation.