A 2% taurolidine catheter lock solution prevents catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) and catheter dysfunction in hemodialysis patients

HIGHLIGHTS 2% taurolidine catheter lock solution without additives is safe and efficient. CRBSI and dysfunction rates compare favorably against other studies in hemodialysis Background: In hemodialysis patients, catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) and catheter dysfunction are common and cause significant morbidity, mortality, and costs. Catheter lock solutions reduce CRBSI and catheter dysfunction rates, but solutions containing heparin, citrate, or antibiotics are associated with adverse effects. Due to its antimicrobial and antithrombotic properties and benign safety profile, taurolidine is suitable for use in catheter lock solutions. In this study the effectiveness and safety of a catheter lock solution containing 2% taurolidine without citrate or heparin (TauroSept®, Geistlich Pharma AG, Wolhusen, Switzerland) in hemodialysis patients were investigated for the first time. Methods: Data from 21 patients receiving chronic hemodialysis via tunneled central venous catheters with 2% taurolidine solution as a catheter lock were analyzed in a single-center retrospective study and compared with the existing literature in a review. The primary endpoint was CRBSI rate. Secondary endpoints included catheter dysfunction, treatment, and costs; catheter technical problems, resolution, and costs; and adverse events. Data were compared to outcomes with standard lock solutions in the literature. Results: No CRBSIs occurred during the observation period of 5,639 catheter days. The catheter dysfunction rate was 0.71 per 1,000 catheter days, and the catheter dysfunction treatment costs were CHF (Swiss Franc) 543 per patient. No technical problems or adverse events related to the use of 2% taurolidine-containing catheter lock solution were observed. These results compare favorably with other catheter lock solutions. Conclusions: A solution containing 2% taurolidine seems suitable as a hemodialysis catheter lock. In a Swiss cohort, it prevented CRBSI, limited catheter dysfunction, and was cost-efficient.

Effect of taurolidine citrate and unfractionated heparin on inflammatory state and dialysis adequacy in hemodialysis patients

Background and aim: HD patients using dialysis catheters have been associated with chronic inflammatory state. In Egypt 6.6% of HD patients use catheters, of which short term catheters represent 59.6% and 40.4% with long-term catheters. In this study, we aimed to assess the effect of Taurolidine citrate and unfractionated heparin combination (Taurolock-hep500™) as a lock solution compared to unfractionated heparin alone on inflammatory markers, incidence of catheter related blood stream infections (CRBSI) and dialysis adequacy in HD patients with temporary HD catheters only, for 4 weeks duration. Methods: Sixty ESRD patients from hemodialysis units in Ain-Shams University hospitals (ASUH) at the time of catheter insertion we enrolled in our study. They were randomized into two groups: Group 1: Thirty patients received Taurolock-hep500™ as a catheter lock solution at the end of each hemodialysis session. Group 2: Thirty patients received unfractionated heparin as a catheter lock solution. hsCRP and IL-6 were measured at baseline and 1 month after using the lock solutions. Blood cultures were done in patients who developed symptoms of catheter related infections. Results: At the end of the study, Inflammatory markers were significantly higher in group 2 ( p-value: 0.045, 0.001, and 0.018 for WBCs, hsCRP and IL-6, respectively). Group 1 had better dialysis adequacy assessed by URR ( p-value: 0.007 and 0.001, respectively). CRBSI were demonstrated in nine patients in group 2 (30%) in contrast to one patient only in group 1(3.3%) ( p-value: 0.006) with pseudomonas being the most common isolated organism (27.7%). Conclusion: Use of (Taurolock-hep500™) for temporary hemodialysis catheters was associated with lower levels of inflammation markers and lower incidence of CRBSI and better catheter performance.

MO786HEPARIN VERSUS SODIUM BICARBONATE CATHETER LOCK SOLUTION: AN ALTERNATIVE LOCK HEMODIALYSIS CATHETER?

Background and Aims Infections and thrombosis of central venous catheter (CVC) in hemodialysis patients are the major causes of catheter loss resulting in hospitalization and increased costs. Interdyalitic catheter lock solutions, usually heparin, avoid these complications. Among the many, sodium bicarbonate has been proved as effective and safe catheter lock solution due to its antimicrobial and antithrombotic properties. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of two different CVC lock solution: sodium heparin versus sodium bicarbonate, to prevent catheter–related thrombosis and infection in hemodialysis patients Method They were enrolled, in a 12 months case-control study, 17 hemodialysis patients with tunneled hig-flux CVC (femoral or internal jugular). Each patient was evaluated in its common treatment for CVC dysfunction (Qb, CVC that works in reverse branches during the hemodialysis session, use of urokinase or extra lock with sodium heparin or 4% citrate) and infection (WBC count, C reactive protein -CRP, bloodstream culture, exit-site infection -ESI) during standard sodium heparin CVC lock solution (hep-lock), for the first 6 months, and then, during sodium bicarbonate lock solution (10 mEq/10 ml, bic-lock) for following 6 months. aPTT, PLT, Hct and albumin are also montly evaluated. Type and anticoagulant dose during hemodialysis sessions were unchanged over the study as well as any antiplatelet/anticogulant home therapy. Results Fifteen patients on 17 completed the study and the main results are reported in table 1. There were no significant differences between patients on demographics and number of catheter days treatments for both study periods. The blood flow was similar in either study phases and stable during the hemodialysis sessions (Qb 225±13 ml/m’ at 2-hours vs 225±15 ml/min at start of dialysis), even the use of reverse branches was similar. Hep-lock showed a lower usage of extra lock drug in comparison with Bic-lock (0,4% vs 3,1%, p<0,05), data confirmed also for Urokinase (1,9% vs 3,4%, p=0,274). None bloodstream are registred while ESI and WBC count show no significant differences between two study periods. No HD catheter was loss during the study due to thrombosis or infection. Finally, Hct, CRP and Albumin was found slightly lower on Bic-lock phase. Conclusion There is no CVC ideal lock solution and although sodium bicarbonate is inexpensive and readily avalaible our data shows better CVC performances with sodium heparin.