title: Ethanol/trisodium citrate for hemodialysis catheter lock.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to confirm the compatibility of ethanol and 4% trisodium citrate (TSC) for potential use as a catheter locking solution.
  
  
  METHODS
  Increasing concentrations of ethanol were combined with 4% TSC in glass test tubes and stored at 37 degrees C over 72 hours. Each tube was visually inspected to determine the highest compatible concentration. To confirm visual compatibility, HPLC analysis was used to compare the concentration of TSC in control solutions (n = 6) to solutions containing both TSC and the highest concentration of ethanol that was visually compatible (n = 6). Compatibility in carbothane hemodialysis catheters was then confirmed in vitro.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results of the compatibility tests indicated that 30% ethanol was the maximum concentration visually compatible with 4% TSC. Ethanol concentrations of 35% or above form a crystalline precipitate in the glass test tubes within 72 hours. HPLC analysis showed no difference in the concentration of TSC in the control solutions compared to the TSC/ethanol solutions when incubated in glass test tubes. A slight, but statistically significant increase in the TSC concentration (1.27%; p < 0.0001) was observed when the ethanol/TSC solution was incubated in carbothane hemodialysis catheters. This slight increase may be due to ethanol absorption into the catheter polymer. Further studies are underway to determine if an ethanol/TSC lock affects the mechanical properties of these carbothane hemodialysis catheters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that 30% ethanol is compatible with 4% trisodium citrate in carbothane hemodialysis catheters in vitro. Until the lock's affect on carbothane hemodialysis catheters is known, it cannot yet be recommended for clinical use.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Burczynski
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Vercaigne
mesh_terms: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000737:chemistry*; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000737:chemistry*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D002951:Citrates / Q000737:chemistry*; D004344:Drug Incompatibility; D004355:Drug Stability; D000431:Ethanol / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D000077559:Sodium Citrate
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D000925:Anticoagulants; D002951:Citrates; D000077559:Sodium Citrate; D000431:Ethanol