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Lock solutions in oncology

Ingredients, efficacy, recommendations

Chemotherapy ranks among the most effective methods to treat cancer: As patients receive intravenous medication on a regular basis, they are provided with a permanent VAD (short for vascular access device). This catheter or port delivers drugs necessary for chemotherapy through a central line inserted into the patient’s vein. While patients may quickly get used to carrying a permanent port, it must be applied with utmost caution. To keep catheters safe throughout chemotherapy sessions, we have developed lock solutions which facilitate treatment in various fields of oncology. 

TauroLock™ for cancer patients

When using central-venous catheters (CVC), medical staff need to avoid two major risks: blood clotting and bacterial infections. For immuno-suppressed patients undergoing chemotherapy, catheter-associated infections can have fatal consequences. Contact with blood, particularly at the tip of the catheter, may furthermore cause blood clots and impair the flow rate.

 

Our lock solutions contain several substances with different effects:

Taurolidine is antiseptic, killing more than 500 types of germs.

Citrate is anticoagulant, which means it sustains an adequate flow rate within the catheter.

Additionally, we also offer lock solutions including heparin or urokinase to meet individual challenges of oncology patients. 

TauroLock™ in oncology

As a bactericidal and fungicidal agent, TauroLock™ prevents catheter-related complications. This lock solution is based on taurolidine and 4 % citrate. Hence, it also helps to avert occlusions around the catheter. 

TauroLock™-Hep100 in oncology

Patients who have previously relied on the anticoagulant heparin may opt for TauroLock™-Hep100. In addition to taurolidine and 4 % citrate, this lock solution contains 100 IU of heparin per ml. It thus protects patients with catheters or ports from infections and improves their patency (or flow rate).

 

TauroLock™-U25.000 in oncology

As a third option for cancer patients with permanent ports, we offer a lock solution that includes the thrombolytic agent urokinase. TauroLock™-U25.000 consists of taurolidine, 4 % citrate, and 25,000 IU of urokinase. Applied on a regular basis, this solution will ensure a high flow rate and prevent catheter-related infections. 

All ingredients named above have been approved and recommended in current guidelines (GaVeCeLT, AIEOP, GPOH, SF2H, and other national guidelines).

Please note that all TauroLock™ products must be administered by trained staff with medical expertise and experience. Based on this premise, we advise the following procedure:

1. Before treatment sessions:

  • Remove TauroLock™/ TauroLock™-Hep100/ TauroLock™-U25.000 and residual blood from the VAD.
  • Flush all lumens of the access device with 10 ml of saline and a syringe according to the push-pause-technique. 
  • Start intravenous medication.

2. After treatment:

  • Flush both lumens with 10 ml of saline and the push-pause-technique. 
  • Gently tap the ampoule’s neck to remove the lock solution. 
  • Tilt the ampoule so that you can see a white dot on top and quickly break off the neck.
  • When using TauroLock™-U25.000:
    Reconstitute the urokinase that is delivered in a separate vial with TauroLock™ withdrawn from the ampoule. TauroLock™-U25.000 must be used immediately after reconstitution.
  • Draw the TauroLock™ solution from the ampoule into a sterile syringe. 

 

3. In-between treatment sessions:

  • To ensure the solution’s prophylactic efficacy, slowly instil a volume sufficient to fill the entire lumens of the device. 
  • You may check the proper filling volume of each lumen as indicated on the device, or obtain instructions from the respective manufacturer.  

More information

Download instructions for use for different types of catheter lock solutions in oncology: