Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40794589›Full record

ArticleClinical journal of oncology nursing2025

Normal Saline Push-Pause Advantage for Implanted Port Patency: A Comparative Study.

Anna Mueller, Erin N Smith, Caroline Apter, Jennifer A Mitchell, Tracy Shelmire, Meredith Lucas, Bridget Royal-Coleman, Olawunmi Obisesan

Abstract readComparative Study
In one paragraph

Article in Clinical journal of oncology nursing, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Anna MuellerAnna Mueller.
Erin N SmithErin N. Smith.
Caroline ApterCaroline Apter.
Jennifer A MitchellJennifer A. Mitchell.
Tracy ShelmireTracy Shelmire.
Meredith LucasMeredith Lucas.
Bridget Royal-ColemanBridget Royal-Coleman.
Olawunmi ObisesanOlawunmi Obisesan.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundImplanted ports are essential for long-term vascular access. However, port occlusions can lead to treatment delays and reduced quality of life. Concerns about the safety of heparin have led to the exploration of safer alternatives.

objectivesThis study aimed to assess the effectiveness of 20 ml normal saline using the push-pause flush technique, compared to heparin, in preventing implanted port occlusions.

methodsA cohort study of 538 patients with implanted ports was conducted over five months. Data on demographics, port type, locking solution, occlusions, and interventions were collected. A transition from heparin-based flushing to normal saline-based flushing occurred during the study.

findingsPreliminary analysis showed low overall port occlusion rates, regardless of the locking solution used. A Fisher's exact test revealed no significant association between the type of locking solution and port occlusion. Interim findings suggest that when used with the pulsatile flush technique, normal saline may be as effective as heparin in maintaining port patency. Additional research is needed to assess the long-term implications of using saline as a locking solution.

Indexed as

Catheters, IndwellingHeparinSaline SolutionVascular Access DevicesAdultAgedAged, 80 and overCohort StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedHeparinSaline Solutionheparin flushimplanted port patencyocclusionpush–pause method

Identifiers

PMID40794589
PMCPMC12339269

What Socratic holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.