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.

Use of antimicrobial catheter lock solutions to prevent catheter-related bacteremia.

Bleyer AJ

Section on Nephrology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston Salem, NC 27157, USA. ableyer@wfubmc.edu

Catheter-related bacteremia is an important source of morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis patients. A number of well-designed, controlled, prospective trials using antimicrobial catheter lock solutions to prevent catheter-related bacteremia have shown a dramatic, statistically significant decrease in not only infection but also mortality related to catheter-related bacteremia. Despite evidence of significant benefit, these locks are not routinely used in the United States. This review describes the epidemic problem of catheter-related bacteremia, reviews recent clinical trials with antimicrobial catheter lock solutions, and discusses current options and potential indications for catheter lock solutions in the hemodialysis population.

Published 28 August 2007 in Clin J Am Soc Nephrol, 2(5): 1073-8.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Sepsis Research Today. All Rights Reserved.