Weekly prophylactic urokinase instillation in tunneled central venous access devices

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the safety and efficacy of weekly prophylactic urokinase therapy in tunneled central venous access devices (VADs).

Materials and methods: A prospective, randomized study was performed in 105 patients who underwent tunneled VAD placement between March 1997 and April 1998. The patients were randomized to receive either twice-daily heparin flushes (14 heparin flushes per week; group A, n = 52) or twice-daily heparin flushes with once-weekly urokinase (UK) instillation (13 heparin flushes, one UK flush per week; group B, n = 53). Patients were followed up by examination and/or interview at 1, 3, and 6 months for signs and symptoms of delayed catheter-related complications.

Results: The total number of indwelling catheter-days was similar between groups (5,450 in group A, 5,276 in group B). The total number of infectious complications and fibrin sheaths formed was greater for group A (n = 11; 21.1%) than group B (n = 3; 5.7%) (P = .02). There were no side effects noted from the prophylactic UK administrations.

Conclusion: Prophylactic UK is advantageous in preventing delayed catheter-related complications.