Treatment of central venous catheter occlusions with ethanol and hydrochloric acid.
BACKGROUND
Occluded central venous lines (CVLs) is a major problem in pediatric patients.


METHODS
To relieve obstructed catheters, infusions of ethanol (up to 3 mL of a 70% solution) for presumed lipid occlusions and hydrochloric acid (HCl, 0.1 N, up to 3 mL) for presumed mineral and drug precipitates were given in an attempt to relieve obstructed catheters.


RESULTS
Patency was restored in 34 of 39 occluded catheters over an 18-month period.


CONCLUSIONS
Clearing occluded CVLs with ethanol and HCl is not only beneficial to the patient but also offers considerable cost savings compared to CVL replacement.
Werlin
S L
SL
Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, USA.
Lausten
T
T
Jessen
S
S
Toy
L
L
Norton
A
A
Dallman
L
L
Bender
J
J
Sabilan
L
L
Rutkowski
D
D
D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002648:Child; D004868:Equipment Failure; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D006851:Hydrochloric Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator / Q000008:administration & dosage
D000431:Ethanol; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator; D006851:Hydrochloric Acid