| abstract |
Implanted catheters are locked with a solution comprising a lower alcohol, typically ethanol, propanol, or butanol, most preferably isopropanol, and an additive, the additive comprising an anti-microbial, typically taurolidine or triclosan, or an anti-coagulant, typically riboflavin, sodium citrate, ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid, or citric acid. The use of an alcohol and additive solution can effectively reduce fouling of the catheter, particularly clotting and thrombus in intravascular catheters, as well as reduce the risk of infection. The risk of infection can be further reduced by employing a catheter body which is sufficiently porous to permit the anti-microbial solution of a lower alcohol and another anti-microbial or anti-coagulant compound to penetrate into the catheter body and preferably through the catheter into tissue surrounding the implanted catheter. |