A prospective audit evaluating use of urokinase in oncology patients with occluded central venous access devices

This article reports the results of a single-site prospective audit evaluating the safety and effectiveness of urokinase (Syner-Kinase^®) to restore patency in central venous access devices (CVADs) for cancer patients. CVADs are routinely inserted to allow the safe and timely administration of systemic anti-cancer therapies; therefore, catheter dysfunction can interrupt the treatment schedule and adversely affect patient outcome. The aim was to contribute to the development of evidence-based, standardised, best practice guidelines. Prospective data were collected from all patients (n=22) identified with an occluded CVAD, requiring use of Syner-Kinase to manage a persistent withdrawal occlusion or total occlusion, over a 6-month period. Findings revealed a single administration of Syner-Kinase for catheter occlusion clearance to be effective in 92% of cases. Results suggest that use of the thrombolytic agent is well-tolerated and an effective means of restoring patency for long-term CVADs in cancer patients.