Intensive Versus Standard Hemodialysis CVC Dysfunction Protocol
Status:
Unknown status
Trial end date:
2015-09-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Central venous catheters (CVCs) are used for vascular access by approximately 56% of our 380
hemodialysis (HD) patients at the Capital Health Renal Program. The major complication of
these catheters includes thrombosis and infection. Catheter locking solutions such as
recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA), Alteplase (Cathflo®) are used to treat and
prevent clotting of the catheter during HD treatments and during the interdialytic period.
Evidence to guide the use of rt-PA is limited. This quality assurance project will compare
the effectiveness and cost of an intensive versus a standard catheter dysfunction protocol
for rt-PA in HD patients.