Intravenous sealing fluid is the key to keeping the infusion smooth by injecting a certain amount of fluid into the vein after the infusion is completed in order to prevent clogging of the intravenous indwelling needle. It mainly includes sodium heparin, maintenance fluid, saline, and other kinds of sealing fluid. The selection and correct use of sealing fluid is an important factor in prolonging the service life of the catheter. This article will focus on the advantages and applications of trisodium citrate (sodium citrate) as a tube-sealing solution.
Introduction of Trisodium Citrate
Trisodium citrate, also known as sodium citrate, is a compound that acts as an anticoagulant by binding to free calcium ions in the blood to produce the difficult-to-dissociate soluble complex calcium citrate, thereby preventing the conversion of plasminogen to thrombin.
Advantages of trisodium citrate as tube sealing solution
- Local anticoagulation: Trisodium citrate has no obvious effect on systemic anticoagulation function, and mainly plays an anticoagulant role locally, which can completely avoid bleeding caused by anticoagulation, especially for patients who are not suitable to use heparin or heparin sodium solution to seal the catheter.
- Antibacterial activity: Recent studies have shown that when the concentration of trisodium citrate is more than 20%, it has antibacterial activity, which can reduce catheter infection and occlusion and prolong the service life of the catheter.
- Reduced adverse effects: Compared with heparin, trisodium citrate does not cause complications such as bleeding, thrombocytopenia or osteoporosis, making it safer for clinical use.
Concentration of Trisodium Citrate
Clinically, the concentration of trisodium citrate ranges from 4.0% to 46.7%. It should be noted that when this concentration range is exceeded or higher, citrate cannot be oxidized in time, which may lead to hypocalcemia, causing convulsions and myocardial contraction inhibition. Therefore, its concentration should be strictly controlled in practical use to avoid unnecessary complications.
Comparison with Other Sealing Fluids
Physiological Saline
- Advantages:
Unrestricted by disease type, suitable for patients with bleeding tendency, impaired coagulation mechanism, and hepatic and renal insufficiency.
Reduces the adverse effects of heparin tube sealing and does not require dispensing, reducing the risk of contamination during dispensing.
- Disadvantages: No anticoagulant effect and although it maintains catheter patency, it increases the risk of thrombosis.
Heparin Sodium
- Advantages: Powerful anticoagulant effect, effective in preventing post-catheterization thrombosis.
- Disadvantages: Can cause serious complications such as bleeding, thrombocytopenia, and osteoporosis.
Among many tube sealing solutions, trisodium citrate is an ideal choice due to its superior local anticoagulation effect and safety. Through reasonable concentration control, trisodium citrate can effectively reduce catheter-related infections and occlusions and prolong the service life of the catheter. In clinical applications, medical personnel should select the most appropriate catheter sealing solution according to the patient's specific situation to ensure safe and effective treatment.
The application of trisodium citrate provides a safe and efficient solution for the management of intravenous indwelling needles, which can help to improve the therapeutic effect and quality of life of patients.
