Comparison of Standard Versus High Dose Urokinase for Dysfunctional Tunneled Dialysis Catheters in Haemodialysis Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Summary

Tunneled dialysis catheters (TDCs) remain a frequent form of vascular access for patients undergoing long-term haemodialysis (HD). In our local setting, thrombolytic therapy with urokinase is used as first line therapy to restore catheter patency in patients who develop TDC dysfunction before considering a TDC exchange which is more invasive, requires hospital admission, and involves a higher cost. There are no published local data on the efficacy of Urokinase, though this is widely used in local practice as first line in the management of TDC dysfunction. Previous studies have also varied in terms of study methodology, dose and administration of urokinase in the form of systemic infusion or catheter lock therapy, with varying success rates of 78-97% (2,4-8). Overall, majority of these studies utilized higher doses of urokinase - some studies reported higher patency rates with high dose systemic infusion (4,5) or higher success rates when a higher dose was compared to a lower dose of urokinase lock (6-8). Bleeding events were very rare even in studies that use much higher doses or systemic infusion of urokinase (2,4-8). Our own preliminary data show lower lower success rates of around 52.5% compared to published reports, the question remains on how we can improve our patency rate and cost-effectiveness in treating TDC dysfunction without an increase in risk of adverse events. Therefore, we aim to answer the question as to whether an increase in dose of urokinase will achieve the above outcomes and result in a reduced need for TDC exchange.

Timeline

Start

2020-10-01

Primary completion

2025-01-04

Completion

2025-01-27

Publications

• Results Chang DH, Mammadov K, Hickethier T, Borggrefe J, Hellmich M, Maintz D, Kabbasch C. Fibrin sheaths in central venous port catheters: treatment with low-dose, single injection of urokinase on an outpatient basis. Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2017 Jan 24;13:111-115. doi: 10.2147/TCRM.S125130. eCollection 2017.
• Results Li Cavoli G, Schillaci O, Zagarrigo C, Servillo F, Li Cavoli TV, Palmeri M, Rotolo U. The urokinase lock-therapy for hemodialysis occluded central venous catheters. Blood Purif. 2015;39(1-3):238. doi: 10.1159/000381007. No abstract available.
• Results Donati G, Coli L, Cianciolo G, La Manna G, Cuna V, Montanari M, Gozzetti F, Stefoni S. Thrombosis of tunneled-cuffed hemodialysis catheters: treatment with high-dose urokinase lock therapy. Artif Organs. 2012 Jan;36(1):21-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1525-1594.2011.01290.x. Epub 2011 Aug 16.
• Results Shavit L, Lifschitz M, Plaksin J, Grenader T, Slotki I. High dose urokinase for restoration of patency of occluded permanent central venous catheters in hemodialysis patients. Clin Nephrol. 2010 Oct;74(4):297-302. doi: 10.5414/cnp74297.
• Results Twardowski ZJ. High-dose intradialytic urokinase to restore the patency of permanent central vein hemodialysis catheters. Am J Kidney Dis. 1998 May;31(5):841-7. doi: 10.1016/s0272-6386(98)70054-x.
• Results Clase CM, Crowther MA, Ingram AJ, Cina CS. Thrombolysis for restoration of patency to haemodialysis central venous catheters: a systematic review. J Thromb Thrombolysis. 2001 Apr;11(2):127-36. doi: 10.1023/a:1011272632286.
• Results Mokrzycki MH, Lok CE. Traditional and non-traditional strategies to optimize catheter function: go with more flow. Kidney Int. 2010 Dec;78(12):1218-31. doi: 10.1038/ki.2010.332. Epub 2010 Sep 29.
• Results Mendes ML, Barretti P, da Silva TN, Ponce D. Approach to thrombotic occlusion related to long-term catheters of hemodialysis patients: a narrative review. J Bras Nefrol. 2015 Apr-Jun;37(2):221-7. doi: 10.5935/0101-2800.20150035. English, Portuguese.

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Indications