title: Ethanol versus heparin locks for the prevention of central venous catheter-associated bloodstream infections: a randomized trial in adult haematology patients with Hickman devices.
abstract: The effectiveness of ethanol locks for prevention of central venous catheter (CVC)-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) in adult haematology patients has not been thoroughly evaluated. This study aimed to compare prospectively heparinized saline with 70% ethanol locks using 2 h dwell time in patients with tunnelled CVCs. In saline (N = 43) and ethanol (N = 42) groups, CLABSI rates were 6.0 [95% confidence interval (CI): 3.4-9.8] and 4.1 (95% CI: 1.9-7.7) per 1000 CVC days, respectively (P = 0.42). In the ethanol group, two exit-site infections and one tunnel/pocket infection were observed. Reduction in device-associated infection was not achieved with prophylactic 70% ethanol locks in patients with haematological malignancy and tunnelled CVCs.
authors: Department of Infectious Diseases and Infection Prevention, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Australia. Electronic address: leon.worth@petermac.org.
authors: L J
authors: LJ
authors: Worth
authors: Department of Infectious Diseases and Infection Prevention, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Australia; Victorian Infectious Diseases Service, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors: M A
authors: MA
authors: Slavin
authors: Department of Clinical Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Service, The Royal Melbourne Hospital and University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Heath
authors: Department of Clinical Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Service, The Royal Melbourne Hospital and University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Szer
authors: Haematology Department, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.
authors: A P
authors: AP
authors: Grigg
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D055499:Catheter-Related Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D062905:Central Venous Catheters / Q000382:microbiology*; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D006493:Heparin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018805:Sepsis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D004202:Disinfectants; D000431:Ethanol; D006493:Heparin
keywords: Bloodstream infection; Bone marrow transplantation; Central venous catheter; Ethanol lock; Haematology; Prophylaxis