Prevention is better than cure

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Lock solutions in intensive care

Ingredients, efficacy, recommendations

Intensive care units operate in the liminal space between life and death. It is where patients are at their most vulnerable state, often depending on central-venous catheters to survive. To protect those catheters against complications and preserve their functionality, we offer a range of different lock solutions. They are based on a combination of active ingredients to fight off multiple threats with just one product.  

 

 

Effective prevention in ICU

 

In intensive care, vascular-access devices literally function as lifelines. They enable the delivery of medication, parenteral nutrition, or haemodialysis while monitoring vital parameters around the clock. But without proper caution, the lifeline can quickly turn into a deathtrap. Catheter-related complications are especially dangerous for critically ill patients with severely weakened immune systems. In this context, prevention is more than a protocol – it is a clinical responsibility.

 
TauroLock™ solutions come into effect well in advance, keeping catheters clean and safe from the moment of insertion.  

Source: Dr. Macarena Jordan, Chile.

Source: Dr. Macarena Jordan, Chile.

Source: Dr. Macarena Jordan, Chile.

NutriLock™ in ICU

Some patients might experience unwanted minor and temporary side effects from citrate (due to mild hypocalcaemia). To avoid that (especially in young children), you can use NutriLock™, a citrate-free lock solution with taurolidine as the only active ingredient.   

TauroLock™ in ICU

TauroLock™ is based on taurolidine and 4 % citrate. This combination prevents biofilm, occlusion, and infection. Contrary to antibiotics, taurolidine does not carry the risk of bacterial resistance.

TauroLock™-Hep100 in ICU

For patients with a higher risk of occlusion, we recommend TauroLock™-HEP100. It contains heparin (100 IU/ml) in addition to taurolidine and 4 % citrate. This formula helps to maintain an adequate patency rate.  

TauroLock™-U25.000 in ICU

TauroLock™-U25.000 provides the strongest prophylaxis against catheter complications and dysfunction. It contains urokinase (25,000 IU) as an additional active ingredient. This thrombolytic agent breaks up blood clotting in early stages.  

All ingredients named above have been approved and recommended in current guidelines (Infusion Therapy SoP 2024, KRINKO 2017).

Please note that our products are to be administered by trained staff with medical expertise and experience. On this premise, we advise the following procedure:

1. Before treatment

 

2. After treatment

  • Flush both lumens with 10 ml of saline according to 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 can check the proper filling volume of each lumen as indicated on the device or based on the manufacturer’s instructions.

More information

Download materials on lock solutions in ICU

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