American Journal of Kidney Diseases
Volume 51, Issue 2 , Pages 233-241, February 2008

A Meta-analysis of Hemodialysis Catheter Locking Solutions in the Prevention of Catheter-Related Infection

  • Yasmin Jaffer, MBChB

      Affiliations

    • Department of Renal Medicine, Derby City Hospital, Derby
  • ,
  • Nicholas M. Selby, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Renal Medicine, Derby City Hospital, Derby
  • ,
  • Maarten W. Taal, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Renal Medicine, Derby City Hospital, Derby
    • School of Graduate Entry Medicine and Healthcare, University of Nottingham, UK.
  • ,
  • Richard J. Fluck, MBBS

      Affiliations

    • Department of Renal Medicine, Derby City Hospital, Derby
  • ,
  • Christopher W. McIntyre, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Renal Medicine, Derby City Hospital, Derby
    • School of Graduate Entry Medicine and Healthcare, University of Nottingham, UK.
    • Corresponding Author InformationAddress correspondence to Christopher W. McIntyre, MD, Department of Renal Medicine, Derby City Hospital, Uttoxeter Rd, Derby, DE22 3NE, UK.

Received 26 June 2007; accepted 25 October 2007.

Background

Catheter-related infection (CRI) is associated with increased all-cause mortality and morbidity in hemodialysis patients and may be reduced by using antimicrobial lock solutions (ALSs).

Study Design

We performed a meta-analysis of studies identified from a search conducted in February 2007 of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, databases of ongoing trials, major renal journals, and reference lists of relevant reports.

Setting & Population

Patients receiving acute or long-term hemodialysis through a tunneled or nontunneled central venous catheter.

Selection Criteria for Studies

We included all prospective randomized studies that compared ALS with heparin.

Intervention

Administration of antibiotic and/or antimicrobial catheter locking solution.

Outcome Measures

Primary outcome was CRI rate in patients using ALSs compared with those using heparin alone. We also examined effects of ALS use on mortality, adverse events, and catheter thrombosis.

Results

7 studies were identified with a total of 624 patients and 819 catheters (448 tunneled, 371 nontunneled). CRI was 7.72 (95% confidence interval, 5.11 to 10.33) times less likely when using ALS. There were no consistent suggestions of adverse outcomes with ALS use; in particular, rates of catheter thrombosis did not increase. There was no evidence of antibiotic resistance developing during a maximum follow-up of 12 months.

Limitations

The major limitation of this review is the relatively short duration of follow-up of the included studies, which does not allow complete reassurance regarding the development of antibiotic resistance. Lack of direct comparisons means that determination of the most efficient ALS is not possible.

Conclusions

This review confirms that antibiotic locking solutions reduce the frequency of CRI without significant side effects.

Index Words: Hemodialysis, antimicrobial locking, antibiotic locking, catheter-related infection/bacteremia

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 Originally published online as doi:10.1053/j.ajkd.2007.10.038 on January 4, 2008.

PII: S0272-6386(07)01489-8

doi:10.1053/j.ajkd.2007.10.038

Refers to article:

  • Prophylaxis Against Dialysis Catheter–Related Bacteremia: A Glimmer of Hope

    Michael Allon
    American Journal of Kidney Diseases February 2008 (Vol. 51, Issue 2, Pages 165-168)

American Journal of Kidney Diseases
Volume 51, Issue 2 , Pages 233-241, February 2008