Table 1.
Characteristics of included studies
| Source | Country (#Centres) | Study duration | N | Methods | Participants | Intervention | Control | Outcomes | Funding Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [22] | Slovenia (1) | Not specifically stated. | 30 | Method of randomization unclear. | ESRD patients with subclavian or jugular single lumen catheters inserted as temporary blood accesses for HD expected to be used for at least 7 days. | 3 ml of 4% trisodium citrate | A mixture of 1 ml (5000 U/ml) of unfractionated heparin and 2 ml of saline. | Catheter removal. | Not specified. |
| [23] | Belgium (1) | April 2000 - October 2000 | 19 | Method of randomization unclear. | Chronic hemodialysis patients with a single lumen central venous catheter as permanent vascular dialysis access. | 5% trisodium citrate | 5000 U/ml heparin solution | Local/in-situ thrombolysis (bolus events for inadequate blood flow). | Not specified. |
| [24] | Canada (1) | December 2004 - June 2005 | 61 | Randomization based on patient surnames. | All patients receiving chronic HD three times a week, 4 h/session, at the in-center Hemodialysis Unit with cuffed catheters as primary vascular access were eligible for the trial. | Prefilled 5 ml syringe containing 4% citrate (MEDXL, Montreal, Quebec, Canada). | 1 ml of 10,000 U/ml heparin diluted to 5000 U/ml with normal saline | Patient survival, bacteremia rates, catheter removal, and local/in-situ thrombolysis. | Not specified. |
| [25] | United Kingdom (4) | 6 mo. period | 232 | Open-label. Randomization was achieved through single-random number allocation. | ESRD patients with IJ CVCs (Bio-Flex TC), on HD > 90 days. | 46.7% trisodium citrate. | 5% heparin | Patient survival, bacteremia rates, catheter-related hospitalization rates, catheter replacement/exchange rates, use of urokinase. | Not specified. |
| [26] | Netherlands (10) | April 2001 - September 2002 | 291 | Randomization by computer-generated random number list. | Patients >18 years, not admitted to the intensive care ward, with chronic or acute renal failure that required hemodialysis through a CVC. Only patients with a newly inserted, well-positioned CVC expected to be in use for 1 wk. | 30% trisodium citrate | Unfractionated sodium heparin 5000 U/ml | Patient survival, bacteremia rates, catheter-related infection hospitalization rates, catheter removal rates, and catheter treatment with urokinase. | Not specified. |
Abbreviations: CVC – central venous catheter; HD – hemodialysis; IJ – internal jugular.