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Double lumen catheters, used as temporary vascular access for hemodialysis, may cause serious infectious complications. Fifty-six patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) or acute renal failure (ARF), requiring temporary access for hemodialysis, were randomised to receive either 2500 U/ml heparin (H) or 2500 U/ml heparin plus 200 mcg/ml cefazolin (H+C) for catheter lumens to remain between dialysis sessions. There were 30 patients (12 M, 18 F; 20 ESRD, 10 ARF) in the H group and the mean age was 42.5±17.9, whereas there were 26 patients (6 M, 20 F; 16 ESRD, 10 ARF) in the H+C group and the mean age was 46.1 ±17.9. There were no significant differences between the two groups for age, gender and the type of renal failure (p>0.05). Catheter remaining times for H and H+C groups were 15.4±13.0 days and 19.5±5.2 days, respectively (p>0.05). Seven catheter exit-site infections, two catheter related sepsis and two catheter related fever were detected in the H group, whereas four exit-site infections and one catheter related fever were found in the H+C group (p>0.05).
In conclusion, 200 mcg/ml cefazolin containing heparin solution was not significantly efficient for preventing catheter related infections, but further studies containing more patients with longer catheter remaining times are needed.