Research

Central Venous Catheter Infection Prevention Study

Ethanol Lock Therapy for the Prevention of Catheter Related Blood Stream Infections

Protocol Description

This pilot study is intended to determine whether catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) can be reduced by ethanol lock therapy. Ethanol lock therapy involves use of a 25 percent ethanol solution that is allowed to dwell in the central line for a minimum of four hours each day. It is then removed and discarded. Central venous catheters (CVCs) are crucial for patients who require long-term vascular access due to a variety of underlying diseases, but CVCs are also associated with complications such as CRBSI. It is anticipated that the use of ethanol as a lock therapy can reduce the likelihood of CRBSI infections by preventing the development of antibiotic resistant bacteria.

Eligibility Criteria

The study is accepting both males and females aged 6 months to 21 years of age who have a CVC and have recently had multiple infections.
Males: ages 6 months to 21 years
Females: ages 6 months to 21 years

Requirements
Participants will receive 3 months of ethanol lock therapy and 3 months of placebo lock therapy, with one month without any lock therapy in between. Patients will be asked to complete a daily diary and will have monthly visits to the Pediatric Clinical and Translational Research Center at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC.
Visits: 7
Duration: 7 months

Status: Open for Enrollment

Source of Support
Hillman Transplant Foundation