Postmarketing experience with Neutrolin® (taurolidine, heparin, calcium citrate) catheter lock solution in hemodialysis patients

Taurolidine and Heparin as Catheter Lock Solution for Central Venous Catheters in Hemodialysis

BACKGROUND

Chronic kidney disease can lead to end-stage renal disease, and the prevalence is increasing. Many patients starting hemodialysis require central venous catheters (CVCs). Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) are a common complication and lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Interventions to prevent CRBSI include antimicrobial lock therapy but concern for the development of antimicrobial resistance and adverse effects. Nonantimicrobial antiseptics as catheter lock solutions have also been used. Taurolidine and heparin catheter lock solution is first approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the prevention of CRBSI in patients on hemodialysis. Taurolidine has a unique mechanism of action and favorable safety profile.

MECHANISM OF ACTION, PHARMACODYNAMICS, AND PHARMACOKINETICS

Taurolidine and heparin catheter lock solution have both antimicrobial and anticoagulant properties. Taurolidine is derivative of the amino acid taurine, and heparin is derived from porcine intestinal mucosa. Taurolidine not only damages microbial cell walls but also prevents the adherence of microorganisms to biological surfaces, preventing biofilm formation. Taurolidine and heparin catheter lock solution is intended to be used intraluminally within the catheter and should be aspirated. Because it is used locally, limited pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data are available.

CLINICAL TRIALS

The LOCK-IT-100 trial is a randomized, double-blind, phase 3 study, which included 795 end-stage renal disease patients on hemodialysis with CVC. Taurolidine and heparin was compared with the control heparin alone. The results of the study showed a 71% risk reduction in CRBSI for taurolidine and heparin arm (95% confident interval, 38%-86%, P = 0.0006). Other studies have also shown that taurolidine lock solution leads to decreased CRBSI episodes. Several systematic reviews and meta-analysis consisted of taurolidine in adult, and pediatric populations also showed reduction in the incidence of CRBSIs.

THERAPEUTIC ADVANCE

Taurolidine and heparin lock solution represents a novel preventive strategy for those undergoing hemodialysis through a CVC by reducing the risk of CRBSI. This is significant progress because there are no other similar options available for patients for whom catheters are the only options for their life-saving treatment.

Taurolidine/Heparin Lock Solution and Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infection in Hemodialysis: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Active-Control, Phase 3 Study

BACKGROUND

Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) are one of the most prevalent, fatal, and costly complications of hemodialysis with a central venous catheter (CVC). The LOCK IT-100 trial compared the efficacy and safety of a taurolidine/heparin catheter lock solution that combines taurolidine 13.5 mg/ml and heparin (1000 units/ml) versus heparin in preventing CRBSIs in participants receiving hemodialysis via CVC.

METHODS

LOCK IT-100 was a randomized, double-blind, active-control, multicenter, phase 3 study that enrolled adults with kidney failure undergoing maintenance hemodialysis via CVC from 70 US sites. Participants were randomized 1:1 to taurolidine/heparin catheter lock solution or heparin control catheter lock solution (1000 units/ml). The primary end point was time to CRBSI as assessed by a blinded Clinical Adjudication Committee. Secondary end points were catheter removal for any reason and loss of catheter patency. On the basis of a prespecified interim analysis, the Data and Safety Monitoring Board recommended terminating the trial early for efficacy with no safety concerns.

RESULTS

In the full analysis population ( N =795), nine participants in the taurolidine/heparin arm ( n =397; 2%) and 32 participants in the heparin arm ( n =398; 8%) had a CRBSI. Event rates per 1000 catheter days were 0.13 and 0.46, respectively, with the difference in time to CRBSI being statistically significant, favoring taurolidine/heparin ( P < 0.001). The hazard ratio was 0.29 (95% confidence interval, 0.14 to 0.62), corresponding to a 71% reduction in risk of CRBSIs with taurolidine/heparin versus heparin. There were no significant differences between study arms in time to catheter removal for any reason or loss of catheter patency. The safety of taurolidine/heparin was comparable with that of heparin, and most treatment-emergent adverse events were mild or moderate.

CONCLUSIONS

Taurolidine/heparin reduced the risk of developing a CRBSI in study participants receiving hemodialysis via CVC compared with heparin with a comparable safety profile.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY NAME AND REGISTRATION NUMBER

Study Assessing Safety & Effectiveness of a Catheter Lock Solution in Dialysis Patients to Prevent Bloodstream Infection, NCT02651428 .

Reevaluation of lock solutions for Central venous catheters in hemodialysis: a narrative review

BACKGROUND

A significant proportion of incident and prevalent hemodialysis patients have central venous catheters for vascular access. No consensus is available on the prevention of catheter dysfunction or catheter-related bloodstream infections in patients undergoing hemodialysis by means of catheter lock solutions.

METHOD

We reviewed the effects of single and combined anticoagulants with antibacterial catheter lock solutions or other antimicrobials for the prevention of thrombosis or infections in hemodialysis patients. Relative risks with 95% confidence intervals for trials of the same type of catheter locking solution were pooled.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

We included original research articles in English from PubMed, EMBASE, SpringerLink, Elsevier and Ovid using the search terms 'hemodialysis,' 'central venous catheter,' 'locking solution,' 'UFH,' 'low molecular weight heparin,' 'EDTA,' 'citrate,' 'rt-PA,' 'urokinase,' 'gentamicin,' 'vancomycin', 'taurolidine,' 'sodium bicarbonate,' 'hypertonic saline' and 'ethanol' and 'catheter'.

FINDINGS

Low-dose heparin lock solution (< 5000 U/ml) can efficiently achieve anticoagulation and will not increase the risk of bleeding. Low-concentration citrate (< 5%) combined with rt-PA can effectively prevent catheter infection and dysfunction. Catheter-related infections may be minimized by choosing the appropriate antibiotic and dose.

LIMITATIONS

There is a lack of follow-up validation data for LMWH, EDTA, taurolidine, sodium bicarbonate, ethanol, and other lock solutions.

IMPLICATIONS

Since catheterization is common in hemodialysis units, studies on long-term treatment and preventative strategies for catheter dysfunction and catheter-related infection are warranted.

Locked Away-Prophylaxis and Management of Catheter Related Thrombosis in Hemodialysis

Reliable vascular access is necessary for effective hemodialysis. Guidelines recommend chronic hemodialysis via an arteriovenous fistula (AVF), however, in a significant number of patients, permanent central venous catheters (CVCs) are used. The use of a tunneled catheter is acceptable if the estimated dialysis time is less than a year or it is not possible to create an AVF. The main complications associated with CVC include thrombosis and catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs), which may result in loss of vascular access. The common practice is to use locking solutions to maintain catheter patency and minimize the risk of CRBSI. This paperwork summarizes information on currently available locking solutions for dialysis catheters along with their effectiveness in preventing thrombotic and infectious complications and describes methods of dealing with catheter dysfunction. The PubMed database was systematically searched for articles about locking solutions used in permanent CVCs in hemodialysis patients. Additional studies were identified by searching bibliographies and international guidelines. Articles on end-stage kidney disease patients dialyzed through a permanent CVC were included. Information from each primary study was extracted using pre-determined criteria including thrombotic and infectious complications of CVC use, focusing on permanent CVC if sufficient data were available. Of the currently available substances, it seems that citrate at a concentration of 4% has the best cost-effectiveness and safety profile, which is reflected in the international guidelines. Recent studies suggest the advantage of 2+1 protocols, i.e., taurolidine-based solutions with addition of urokinase once a week, although it needs to be confirmed by further research. Regardless of the type of locking solution, if prophylaxis with a thrombolytic agent is chosen, it should be started from the very beginning to reduce the risk of thrombotic complications. In case of CVC dysfunction, irrespective of the thrombolysis attempt, catheter replacement should be planned as soon as possible.

New Directions in Ensuring Catheter Safety

Tunneled dialysis catheters remain the most common vascular access used to initiate hemodialysis. Unfortunately, their use is associated with higher morbidity and mortality when compared with arteriovenous fistulae or grafts. Different types of catheters with different designs and material properties function differently. Additional devices and medications can be used to decrease the rates of infection and thrombosis. The current available tunneled dialysis catheters remain far from the desired goal and innovation in the field of dialysis vascular access remains in dire need.

Taurolidine-citrate lock solution for the prevention of central line-associated bloodstream infection in paediatric haematology-oncology and gastrointestinal failure patients with high baseline central-line associated bloodstream infection rates

AIM

Central line-associated bloodstream infection associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) is a serious complication of patients on central venous catheters (CVC). Taurolidine-citrate solution (TCS) is a catheter-lock solution with broad-spectrum antimicrobial action. This study's aim was to evaluate the efficacy of TCS in reducing CLABSI rates in paediatric haematology-oncology (H/O) and gastrointestinal (GI) patients with long-term CVC.

METHODS

This was an open-label trial of H/O and GI inpatients with the following inclusion criteria: <17 years old, more than or equal to one previous CLABSI and a minimum TCS dwell time of ≥8 h. CLABSI per 1000 catheter-days was calculated from each patient's first CVC insertion till 14 December 2017 or until TCS discontinuation.

RESULTS

Thirty-three patients were recruited with a median age of 3.5 years; H/O and GI constituted 60.6 and 39.4% respectively. CVC types were Hickman line (45.5%), implantable port (24.2%) and peripherally inserted central catheter (30.3%). Mean pre- and post-TCS CLABSI rates per 1000 catheter-days were 14.44 and 2.45 (P < 0.001) for all patients; 16.55 and 2.81 for H/O patients; and 11.21 and 1.90 for GI patients, respectively. Pre- and post-TCS rate ratio was 0.20, 0.10 and 0.30 for all, H/O and GI patients, respectively (P < 0.001). TCS also led to a reduction in CVC removal from 66.7 to 9.09% (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

TCS usage was highly successful in CLABSI reduction by 80% in all patients, 90% in H/O and 70% in GI patients. In patients with high baseline CLABSI rates, TCS is an effective catheter-lock therapy to reduce CLABSI rates in paediatric patients.

Cluster-Randomized Trial of Devices to Prevent Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infection

Central venous catheters (CVCs) contribute disproportionately to bloodstream infection (BSI) and, by extension, to infection-related hospitalization, mortality, and health care costs in patients undergoing dialysis. Recent product advancements may reduce BSIs, but a sufficiently powered comparative-effectiveness study is needed to facilitate evidence-based patient care decisions. In a 13-month, prospective, cluster-randomized, open-label trial, we compared BSI rates in facilities using ClearGuard HD antimicrobial barrier caps (ClearGuard group) with those in facilities using Tego hemodialysis connectors plus Curos disinfecting caps (Tego+Curos group). Forty DaVita dialysis facilities in the United States were pair-matched by BSI rate, number of patients using CVCs, and geographic location, and then cluster randomized 1:1. We enrolled all adult patients undergoing dialysis with CVCs at these facilities, except those allergic to heparin or chlorhexidine. Overall, 1671 patients participated in the study, accruing >183,000 CVC-days. The study outcome was positive blood culture (PBC) rate as an indicator of BSI rate. We calculated results at the cluster level and adjusted for the facility cluster effect. During a 3-month run-in period immediately before study interventions, the groups had similar BSI rates (P=0.8). During the 13-month intervention period that immediately followed, the ClearGuard group had a BSI rate significantly lower than that of the Tego+Curos group (0.28 versus 0.75 PBCs per 1000 CVC-days, respectively; P=0.001). No device-related adverse events were reported. In conclusion, compared with Tego connectors plus Curos caps, ClearGuard HD antimicrobial barrier caps significantly lowered the rate of catheter-related BSIs in patients undergoing hemodialysis using CVCs, representing an important advancement in hemodialysis patient care.