Sepsis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Sepsis, including details on septicemia, diagnosis, symptoms, treatment.

Ethanol-lock technique for persistent bacteremia of long-term intravascular devices in pediatric patients.

Onland W, Shin CE, Fustar S, Rushing T, Wong WY

Department of Pediatrics, Emma Children's Hospital, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

OBJECTIVES: To use the ethanol-lock technique (in conjunction with systemic antibiotics) to salvage central lines from removal and to prevent persistence of catheter-related infections among pediatric patients with long-term intravascular devices. DESIGN: Medical records of patients treated with ethanol locks were retrospectively reviewed from June 1, 2004, through June 22, 2005. SETTING: Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Calif, a tertiary care pediatric hospital.Patients Forty children with diverse underlying disorders were treated for 51 catheter-related infections using the Childrens Hospital Los Angeles ethanol-lock technique. INTERVENTIONS: Eligible infected central lines were instilled with a dose volume of 0.8 to 1.4 mL of 70% ethanol into the catheter lumen during 12 to 24 hours and then withdrawn. The volume of ethanol used was based on the type of intravascular device. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clearance of infection and incidence of recurrence. RESULTS: Of the 51 ethanol-lock treatments in 40 children, no catheters were removed because of persistent infection. Eighty-eight percent (45/51) of the treated episodes cleared without recurrence (defined as a relapse within 30 days with the same pathogen). Twelve (75%) of 16 polymicrobial isolates and 33 (94%) of 35 monomicrobial isolates were successfully treated. There were no adverse reactions or adverse effects reported. CONCLUSION: This retrospective study supports the use of the ethanol-lock technique in conjunction with systemic antibiotics as an effective and safe method to retain the use of a previously infected central venous catheter, decrease the need for line removal, and eradicate persistent pathogens in catheter-related infections.

Published 4 October 2006 in Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, 160(10): 1049-53.
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