Taurolock Effectively Reduces Tunneled Dialysis Catheter-Related Infection and Catheter Exchange Rates among Hemodialysis Patients

Aims: Catheter-related infection, which is one of the major side effects of the use of dialysis catheters, leads to increases in hospitalization, morbidity and mortality. Antibiotic lock is an option for reducing the incidence of these infections, but there are concerns regarding antibiotic resistance. A prior study demonstrated that Taurolock (a taurolidine lock) may reduce the rate of catheter-related infection. Methods and Material: This investigation was a prospective before-and-after study. During period one, patients continued to use a heparin lock (5000 units/ml) for 6 months. During period two, they were shifted to Taurolock (a solution of 1.35% taurolidine, 4% citrate, and 500 units/ml of heparin) for 6 months. The primary outcome was the incidence of tunneled catheter-related infection and/or catheter exchange, and the secondary outcomes were the effects of Taurolock on catheter flow rate, dialysis adequacy, and catheter malfunction rate. Results: A total of 49 patients were included in this study. During period one, the primary outcome occurred 17 times, with an incidence rate of 86.8 per 100 patient-years; during period two, the primary outcome occurred 7 times, with an incidence rate of 32.6 per 100 patient-years (incidence rate ratio: 2.65, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05 - 7.6, P = 0.023). There was no significant difference between the two periods with respect to mean catheter blood flow rate (P = 0.29). During period one, thrombolytic therapy (TPA) lock was indicated on 19 occasions, with an incidence rate of 97 per 100 patient-years; during period two, TPA lock was indicated on 53 occasions, with an incidence rate of 247.5 per 100 patient-years (incidence rate ratio: 0.3, 95% CI: 0.21 - 0.67, P = 0.0003). Conclusions: We demonstrated that Taurolock usage is safe and effective for the prevention of dialysis catheter-related infection and/or catheter exchange.