title: [Occlusion of central venous port catheters after simultaneous 24 h infusions of 5-FU and calcium-folinic acid in patients with gastrointestinal cancer].
abstract: Folinic acid-modulated 5-FU regimens are standard elements in several chemotherapy combinations like FOLFIRI, FOLFOX or AIO-regimen in the palliative treatment of patients with gastrointestinal cancer. When the simultaneous mixed infusion of 5-FU and calcium-folinic acid (Leucovorin) was authorized by the BfArM in 2002, we introduced this application regimen in the treatment of our cancer patients. 19 patients (AIO-regimen [5], FOLFIRI [12] and FOLFOX [2]) received a simultaneously mixed infusion of calcium-folinic acid and 5-FU over 24 hours with a total of 110 applications. 5-FU doses varied between 2000 and 2600 mg/m2, calcium-folinic acid was given with 500 mg/m2, infusion rate was 10 ml/hour using a 24 h pump. Central venous catheters employed included single Barth-Port in 18 cases, 1 patient had a Viggon-Port. In 3 out of the 19 patients catheter occlusion was noticed after 8-10 weekly applications of the mixed infusion. Heparine and subsequently urokinase were not successful in reversing the obstruction. All three catheters had to be explanted. Catheter tips in all cases showed a yellow cristalline precipitation. The crystallographic analysis exhibited calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in its polymorphic form (calcite). Thus, we confirmed calcite formation causing catheter occlusion as a frequent complication during a continuous 24 h-infusion of mixed high dose 5-FU and calcium-folinic acid. This reaction could not be avoided by increasing infusion volume and the application flow rate. As a result of our findings, recommending using calcium-folinic acid mixed with 5-FU has been withdrawn in the meantime.
authors.affiliation: II. Medizinische Klinik, Klinikum Passau, Passau, Deutschland.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Fackler-Schwalbe
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schwalbe
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Epple
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Prügl
authors.forename: W D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Gassel
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stoffels
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Südhoff
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002119:Calcium Carbonate / Q000032:analysis; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D011232:Chemical Precipitation; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003460:Crystallization; D020878:Device Removal; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D002119:Calcium Carbonate; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil