Preventing catheter-related bacteremia with taurolidine-citrate catheter locks: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Preliminary evidence from some studies suggests that taurolidine-citrate locks decrease catheter-related bacteremia (CRB), which is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients using intravascular catheters. No previous study has sought to summarize existing evidence on the use of taurolidine-citrate locks. A systematic review and meta-analysis were undertaken to determine whether taurolidine-citrate was more effective than heparin in the prevention of CRB.


METHODS
The major English (PubMed, EBSCO, Web of Science and OVID) and Chinese (CBM, CNKI, VIP and Wanfang Data) healthcare databases were searched for randomized controlled trials comparing the efficacy and safety of taurolidine-citrate lock solution (TCLS) and heparin lock solution in the prevention of CRB.


RESULTS
Three studies involving 236 patients with a total of 34,984 catheter days were included. The use of TCLS significantly decreased the risk of CRB (relative risk = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.25-0.89) and Gram-negative bacterial infection. There was no significant difference in Gram-positive infections and exit-site infections.


CONCLUSIONS
Catheter locking with TCLS reduced the risk of CRB and Gram-negative bacterial infection. Adverse events include thrombotic events.
Department of Medicine Clinical Laboratory, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
Hongbo
H
Liu
Hongmei
H
Liu
Jing
J
Deng
Lihua
L
Chen
Lu
L
Yuan
Yong
Y
Wu
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019343:Citric Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D039781:PubMed; D013654:Taurine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013829:Thiadiazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D062666:Vascular Access Devices / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000382:microbiology
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000925:Anticoagulants; D013829:Thiadiazines; D013654:Taurine; D019343:Citric Acid; C012566:taurolidine