Catheter for Home Parenteral Nutrition

Parenteral nutrition (PN) is a lifesaving therapy in patients with chronic intestinal failure. PN is administered via a central venous catheter (CVC), and patients are dependent on this line for ongoing nutrition. However, the presence of a CVC is associated with a risk of thrombosis and bloodstream infection. Many different types of catheter lock solutions have been used to mitigate these risks. They include solutions primarily aimed at reducing thrombosis, such as heparin and citrate, and others primarily aimed at reducing infection such as ethanol and antibiotics (for example, taurolidine). One recently developed solution, tetrasodium EDTA, aims to reduce both thrombosis and infection. This scientific review provides an overview of central venous catheter lock solutions, and an ease-of-use and cost analysis comparing heparin and tetrasodium EDTA in one home parenteral nutrition program in Toronto, Canada.