Tissue plasminogen activator to prevent central venous access device infections: A systematic review of central venous access catheter thrombosis, infection and thromboprophylaxis

M. V. Ragni, J. M. Journeycake, D. J. Brambilla

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

26 Scopus citations

Abstract

The recent unequivocal demonstration that prophylaxis, three to four weekly factor infusions, is effective in preventing joint disease in children with haemophilia, has provided impetus to initiate prophylaxis early in such children. Yet, nearly a quarter (22%) of the 83% who required central venous access devices for factor infusion developed central venous access catheter (CVAD)-related infection. This limitation of CVAD use prevents many families from initiating prophylaxis. The frequent occurrence of local thrombosis accompanying CVAD-related infection in surgical patients and autopsy cases, the thrombogenic plastic CVAD surfaces, and local clot formation at the insertion site, suggest the potential role of thrombolytic agents in preventing these infections. Yet, correlation between CVAD-related infection and local thrombosis in children with haemophilia are lacking, and thromboprophylaxis to prevent CVAD-related infection is controversial. Tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), a recombinant serine protease glycoprotein that lyses plasmin-bound fibrin and is safe and effective in the treatment of occluded catheters, has not been evaluated in the prevention of these infections. We performed a literature review of CVAD-related infection, CVAD-related thrombosis, and thromboprophylaxis studies to evaluate the role of t-PA in the prevention of these infections in children with haemophilia. Metanalysis of published thromboprophylaxis trials demonstrate current prophylaxis regimens do not prevent CVAD infection, and further, that thrombosis and infection do not necessarily occur simultaneously. Pilot data demonstrate CVAD infection reduction in haemophilic children by monthly t-PA in 18 haemophilic children, suggesting the potential role of t-PA in CVAD infection prevention. Clinical trials to evaluate t-PA in CVAD infection prevention are justified.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)30-38
Number of pages9
JournalHaemophilia
Volume14
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2008

Keywords

  • Central venous access catheter
  • Haemophilia
  • Infection
  • Tissue plasminogen activator

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Hematology
  • Genetics(clinical)

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