Locking of Tunneled Cuffed Hemodialysis Catheters with a Mixture of 45% Ethanol and 4% Trisodium Citrate is Effective in Preventing Catheter-Related Infections and Thrombosis

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of a mixture consisting of 45% ethanol and 4% trisodium citrate (E-TSC) on the development of catheter-related infection (CRI) and catheter thrombosis in hemodialysis patients. MATERIAL and METHODS: A total of 114 patients were included in the study. Patients were separated into two groups according to the type of catheter lock solution as the E-TSC and classic heparin groups. There were 51 patients in the E-TSC group and 63 patients in the heparin group. RESULTS: The development of CRI was significantly lower in the E-TSC group compared to the heparin group (p= 0.011). CRI developed in only 1 patient in the E-TSC group whereas it developed in 10 patients in the heparin group. There was no significant difference between the two groups with regard to the development of thrombosis (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: E-TSC solution has favorable effects on the prevention of the development of CRI compared to classic heparin. It also is as effective as heparin on the prevention of the development of catheter thrombosis.