Heparin Versus no Heparin on Duration of Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) Patency in Neonates

Exclusion Criteria

• •Evidence of bleeding (prolonged aPTT)
• •Recent sepsis (w/in 48 hours of initiation of antimicrobial therapy)
• •Propensity for stroke or thrombophilia
• •Requiring heparinization (i.e. dialysis)
• •Discretion of the neonatologist (severe illness to the point of uncertain viability, poor intravenous access requiring surgical placement of a long term intravenous catheter e.g. Broviac)
• •Requirement of a 1 French catheter
• •Uncertain viability (this is based on the discretion of the infant's neonatologist who is not a member of the research team)
• •Nonviable neonates (this is based on the discretion of the infant's neonatologist who is not a member of the research team)