peripheral venous catheter flushing with 3 mL of a 100 U heparin/mL normal saline from mono-use vial (Epsodilave, Mayne Pharma, Naples, Italy) at the end of each drug infusion. Independently from the number of drug infusions, all patients will receive at least two catheter flushes every day.

peripheral venous catheter flushing with 3 mL of normal saline from mono-use vials (prepared by the hospital pharmacy) at the end of each drug infusion. Independently of the number of drug infusions, all patients will receive at least two catheter flushes every day.

peripheral venous catheter flushing with 3 mL of a 100 U heparin/mL normal saline from mono-use vial (Epsodilave, Mayne Pharma, Naples, Italy) at the end of each drug infusion. Independently from the number of drug infusions, all patients will receive at least two catheter flushes every day.

Phlebitis is defined as the presence of two or more symptoms/signs among pain, tenderness, warmth, erythema, swelling, or a palpable cord (score of ≥ 2 according to the Visual Infusion Phlebitis Score). Occlusion is defined as resistance to flushing as evidenced by the inability to administer 1 ml of flushing solution within 30 seconds.

Ecchymosis is defined as a purple discoloration of the skin around the catheter insertion site larger than 1 cm.

Heparin induced thrombocytopenia is defined as a fall in platelet count > 50% of baseline value without any alternative explanation. To detect this phenomenon, platelet count is to be performed at baseline and, subsequently, every 5 days.