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Citrate 4% Versus Heparinised Saline in Preventing Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) Occlusions

Phase 2
Conditions
Occlusion
Interventions
Drug: Citrate 4%
Drug: Heparinised saline (10U/ml)
Registration Number
NCT03114722
Lead Sponsor
National University Hospital, Singapore
Brief Summary

This study is a prospective, randomized, non-blinded study. 1 group will be assigned the standard arm with use of heparinised saline (10U/ml) lock in between each catheter use. This is consistent with the standard procedure of PICC care in the investigators' centre. The second group will be assigned the intervention with use of 4% citrate lock (Dirinco Citra-Lock 4%) in between each catheter use.

Detailed Description

PICC occlusion in patients requiring long-term central line access for chemotherapy is a recurrent issue. Occlusion is usually managed by administration of fibrinolytic agents, and subsequent removal and re-insertion if unsuccessful.

Locally, the current clinical practice is to use heparinised saline at a concentration of 10U/ml as a locking agent in between use of the PICC line to prevent occlusion. Citrate 4% has antithrombotic and antibacterial properties, which makes it potentially superior to heparin as a locking agent. Citrate chelates ionised calcium in blood, inhibiting calcium-dependent clotting pathways. Also, as a chelating agent, it results in inhibition of growth of micro-organisms. Citrate-based anticoagulation is often preferred over heparin because of its safety and rapid systemic clearance. Citrate also is safe for heparin induced thrombocytopenia patients.

The effects of each agent have been compared in renal patients with central lines on haemodialysis. These studies have demonstrated that 4% citrate is at least equivalent (MacRae, 2008) or even superior (Grudzinski, 2007) to heparin 5000U/ml in preventing catheter occlusions, and superior in preventing infection (Weijmer, 2002).

This study is a prospective, randomized, non-blinded study. 1 group will be assigned the standard arm with use of heparinised saline (10U/ml) lock in between each catheter use. This is consistent with the standard procedure of PICC care in the investigators' centre. The second group will be assigned the intervention with use of 4% citrate lock (Dirinco Citra-Lock 4%) in between each catheter use.

Patients will be followed for up to 6 months or until the catheter is removed, or until the study ends. A standardised data tracking form will be used to assess baseline characteristics as well as number of times urokinase was used. Nursing documentation regarding each PICC flushing (standard documentation as per hospital protocol) will be evaluated for number of discrete attempts made to troubleshoot lines without use of urokinase. Positive blood culture results will be recorded for each patient.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
130
Inclusion Criteria
  • Age more than or equal to 21 years.
  • Histologic or cytologic diagnosis of haematological or oncological malignancy
  • Signed informed consent from patient or legal representative
  • Patients on antiplatelet therapy may be recruited to the study
Exclusion Criteria
  • Pregnancy.
  • Anticoagulation - warfarin or heparin or novel oral anticoagulants
  • Serious concomitant disorders that would compromise the safety of the patient or compromise the patient's ability to complete the study, at the discretion of the investigator.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
citrate 4%Citrate 4%4% citrate lock in between each catheter use (with standard twice weekly normal saline flushing if catheter not being used)
heparin 10U/mlHeparinised saline (10U/ml)Heparinised saline (10U/ml) lock in between each catheter use (with standard twice weekly normal saline flushing if catheter not being used)
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Rate of catheter occlusionFrom post insertion to 6 months or until the catheter is removed, whichever is earlier.

Compare the rates of catheter occlusion in patients who receive citrate 4% as a locking agent, versus those who receive heparinised saline (10U/ml).

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Catheter associated bacteraemiaFrom post insertion to 6 months or until the catheter is removed, whichever is earlier.

to compare the time to development of catheter associated bacteraemia

Line troubleshootingFrom post insertion to 6 months or until the catheter is removed, whichever is earlier.

to compare the time to requiring troubleshooting of the line but not amounting to urokinase use

Bleeding complicationsFrom post insertion to 6 months or until the catheter is removed, whichever is earlier.

to compare the time to development of bleeding complications, either local or systemic.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Nationa University Hospital

🇸🇬

Singapore, Singapore

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