BACKGROUND: Low blood flow is a frequent complication of central-vein (CV) dialysis catheters. Since thrombotic occlusion accounts for many cases of reduced blood flow, it is common practice to administer empiric thrombolytic therapy in an attempt to restore catheter patency and improve function. METHODS: We prepared tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) from 50 mg lyophilized powder, which was diluted (1 mg/mL) in sterile water for injection. A volume of 1 mL was frozen in 3 cc polystyrene syringes at -20 degrees C and thawed at room temperature when needed. tPA was then administered into the arterial and venous ports of the central venous catheter in a volume equal to the manufacturer's stated luminal volume and was allowed to dwell for 30 minutes. RESULTS: tPA was administered 62 times in 25 patients with 30 catheters (11 Tesio, 17 PermCath, 2 Shiley) for treatment of low blood flow (pump speed < 250 mL/min). Complete restoration of patency was achieved in 23 episodes (mean blood flow pre-tPA 130 mL/min; post-tPA 320 mL/min); partial restoration of patency was achieved in 20 episodes (mean blood flow pre-tPA 69 mL/min; post-tPA 233 mL/min). tPA was just as likely to be effective in patients with complete catheter occlusion (i.e., no blood flow) as it was when some initial blood flow was present. Nineteen episodes failed to respond to tPA. These episodes occurred in 13 catheters, 12 of which ultimately underwent radiologic evaluation; an extraluminal cause for low blood flow was found in all 12 catheters (6 malpositioned, 6 fibrin sheaths). CONCLUSIONS: tPA at a dose of 1 mg/mL is effective for restoring patency in CV dialysis catheters. Failure to respond to tPA strongly suggests an extraluminal cause of catheter malfunction.
BACKGROUND: Low blood flow is a frequent complication of central-vein (CV) dialysis catheters. Since thrombotic occlusion accounts for many cases of reduced blood flow, it is common practice to administer empiric thrombolytic therapy in an attempt to restore catheter patency and improve function. METHODS: We prepared tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) from 50 mg lyophilized powder, which was diluted (1 mg/mL) in sterile water for injection. A volume of 1 mL was frozen in 3 cc polystyrene syringes at -20 degrees C and thawed at room temperature when needed. tPA was then administered into the arterial and venous ports of the central venous catheter in a volume equal to the manufacturer's stated luminal volume and was allowed to dwell for 30 minutes. RESULTS:tPA was administered 62 times in 25 patients with 30 catheters (11 Tesio, 17 PermCath, 2 Shiley) for treatment of low blood flow (pump speed < 250 mL/min). Complete restoration of patency was achieved in 23 episodes (mean blood flow pre-tPA 130 mL/min; post-tPA 320 mL/min); partial restoration of patency was achieved in 20 episodes (mean blood flow pre-tPA 69 mL/min; post-tPA 233 mL/min). tPA was just as likely to be effective in patients with complete catheter occlusion (i.e., no blood flow) as it was when some initial blood flow was present. Nineteen episodes failed to respond to tPA. These episodes occurred in 13 catheters, 12 of which ultimately underwent radiologic evaluation; an extraluminal cause for low blood flow was found in all 12 catheters (6 malpositioned, 6 fibrin sheaths). CONCLUSIONS:tPA at a dose of 1 mg/mL is effective for restoring patency in CV dialysis catheters. Failure to respond to tPA strongly suggests an extraluminal cause of catheter malfunction.