Lock method using sodium hydroxide solution to clear occluded central venous access devices

4. Lock method using sodium hydroxide solution to clear occluded central venous access devices Pages 185-188 K. Sando, M. Fujii, K. Tanaka, K. Chen, H. Yoshida, Y. Iiboshi, R. Nezu, K. Konishi, Y. Takagi, A. Okada Preview Purchase PDF (358 K) | Related Articles Abstract | References Abstract Occlusion of central venous access devices (CVADs) is not an uncommon problem duringlong-term parenteral nutrition. A number of techniques have been developed to deal with obstructed CVADs. This study investigated the effectiveness of the sodium hydroxide (NaOH) lock method for gradual CVAD occlusion. When a progressively declining flow was noticed, 0.1 N NaOH solution was injected into the CVAD and locked. Nineteen CVAD occlusions in 11 home parenteral nutrition patients were treated Sixteen of 19 trials cleared the occlusions, whereas 3 of 19 failed. One of the failures was due to a mechanical occlusion and the other two were able to be restored by using ethanol. There were no significant complications. The benefits of this method are: (1) a shorter treatment time and a lower dose than NaOH infusion therapy, (2) it does not require hospital admission and (3) it does not result in bursting of the catheter. Case report