Efficacy of reteplase in poorly functioning hemodialysis catheters

This is a retrospective study of reteplase efficacy for restoration of flow in occluded and poorly functioning hemodialysis catheters.

From May 1, 2001 to December 31, 2001, all hemodialysis patients seen at our university dialysis center with occluded or poorly functioning (< 200 ml/min blood flow) catheters treated with reteplase were included in the study. All catheters had been in place for more than 48 hours. Reteplase 0.4 U was instilled into each port; dwell time was 30 minutes. If aspiration had not been possible, reteplase had remained in the catheter for an additional 30 minutes. If flow was established (> 200 ml/min), the catheter was used for dialysis. If flow was not adequately established after 1 hour, the patient was referred for catheter exchange.

Reteplase (0.4 U) was used in 50 instances to restore or improve blood flow rates in a total of 23 catheters in 19 patients. Reteplase was effective in establishing adequate blood flow rates during the current and next dialysis session in 44/50 (88%) cases; 6 cases required 1-hour dwell time. Six cases (in 5 patients) required catheter exchange; in these, an anatomic or pathologic complication was responsible for catheter malfunction. No adverse events were related to reteplase instillation during the study.

Data suggest that reteplase is safe and effective in restoring flow to malfunctioning hemodialysis catheters. Results are comparable to those achieved with alteplase.