Comparing central line versus peripheral blood draws for heparin anti-Xa using syringe or vacuum flush
Central Catheter Anti-Xa Sampling Study for Accurate aNalysis and Reliable Dosage Assessment
This test sees if blood taken from a central line with a 5 mL syringe flush or a vacuum tube discard gives the same heparin anti‑Xa result as a standard peripheral vein draw in ICU patients on continuous heparin.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Centre Hospitalier Régional d'Orléans Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Orléans) |
| Trial ID | NCT07183605 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a prospective, single-center comparison enrolling ICU patients who have a multi-lumen central venous catheter and are receiving continuous unfractionated heparin. For each participant, four paired blood samples will be collected simultaneously: one from a peripheral vein (reference) and one from the central catheter using one of two randomized flushing techniques (a 5 mL syringe flush over 5 seconds or a 5 mL vacuum-tube discard). A three-way stopcock is used to temporarily pause the heparin infusion during sampling to reduce contamination risk. The primary outcome is concordance of anti‑Xa activity measurements between central-catheter and peripheral samples across the two flushing methods.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (≥18) in the ICU with a multi-lumen central venous catheter who are receiving continuous IV unfractionated heparin targeting anti‑Xa 0.3–0.7 IU/mL are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients without a central catheter, those not on continuous unfractionated heparin, pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, and persons under legal protection are excluded and unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could avoid repeated peripheral venipunctures because reliable anti‑Xa monitoring could be done from existing central lines.
How similar studies have performed: Some prior single-center reports suggest central-line samples can match peripheral results for certain lab tests, but specific data on anti‑Xa with these two flushing methods are limited, so this approach is relatively novel for anti‑Xa monitoring.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Person (or support person/relative if unable to do so) who has agreed to participate in the study * 18 years of age or older * Hospitalized in intensive care medicine * Having a central venous catheter with at least three lumens (internal jugular, subclavian or femoral) already in place * Receiving continuous intravenous unfractionned heparin, with target Anti-Xa activity between 0.3 and 0.7 IU/ml. Exclusion Criteria: * Protected person (under guardianship or curatorship) * Person under court protection * Person deprived of liberty * Person not affiliated to the French social security * Pregnant or breast-feeding woman
Where this trial is running
Orléans
- Chu Orleans — Orléans, France (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Gregoire MULLER, Dr — CHU Orléans
- Study coordinator: Gregoire MULLER, Dr
- Email: gregoire.muller@chu-orleans.fr
- Phone: +33238229534
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.