Intensive Versus Standard Hemodialysis CVC Dysfunction Protocol

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.

Timeline

Start

2013-01

Primary completion

2015-07

Completion

2015-09

Drugs

Indications