Nephrology
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Enhancing the survival of tunneled haemodialysis catheters using an antibiotic lock in the elderly: a randomised, double-blind clinical trial.
Tunneled-cuffed catheters (TCC) are often used among the elderly to commence and carry out haemodialysis (HD). Complications like infection and thrombosis frequently reduce the lifespan of TCC. The role of an antibiotic heparin 'lock' in the prevention of thrombotic and infectious complications and enhancement of TCC survival in the elderly has not been investigated previously. ⋯ Cefotaxime and heparin locks safely and effectively enhance the lifespan of TCC by lowering the incidence of thrombotic and infectious complications among elderly end-stage renal failure (ESRD) patients.