Mesna compared with continuous bladder irrigation as uroprotection during high-dose chemotherapy and transplantation: a randomized trial.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the use of intravenous (IV) hydration plus either continuous bladder irrigation or mesna for the prevention of hemorrhagic cystitis in the bone marrow transplant setting.


METHODS
Two hundred patients were prospectively randomized to receive either continuous bladder irrigation with 200 mL/h of normal saline, or continuous infusion mesna at 100% of the cyclophosphamide dose.


RESULTS
The overall incidence of hematuria of any grade was significantly higher in the bladder-irrigation group (76%) compared with the mesna group (53%) (P = .007). However, the incidence of grade III and IV hematuria was the same in both groups (18%; P = NS). Moderate or severe discomfort or bladder spasms were reported in 84% of the patients who received bladder irrigation, compared with 2% of the patients who received mesna prophylaxis (P < .0001). Urinary tract infections (UTIs) were documented in 27% of the patients in the bladder-irrigation group, compared with 14% of the patients in the mesna group (P = .03).


CONCLUSIONS
Both continuous bladder irrigation and mesna were equally effective in preventing severe hemorrhagic cystitis associated with high-dose cyclophosphamide and bone marrow transplantation. However, the use of mesna was associated with significantly less discomfort and a lower incidence of UTIs.
Vose
J M
JM
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha 68198.
Reed
E C
EC
Pippert
G C
GC
Anderson
J R
JR
Bierman
P J
PJ
Kessinger
A
A
Spinolo
J
J
Armitage
J O
JO
D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000009:adverse effects; D003556:Cystitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006417:Hematuria / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015080:Mesna / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000379:methods; D001743:Urinary Bladder
D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D015080:Mesna