Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026
A Protocol to Set Up Needle-Free Connector with Positive Displacement on Central Venous Catheter in Intensive Care Unit
Published on: July 13, 2019
A simplified method of antibiotic lock therapy for Broviac-Hickman catheters using a CLC 2000 connector device
Simone Cesaro1, Mara Cavaliere, Monica Spiller
1Clinic of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 3, 35128, Padova, Italy. simone.cesaro@unipd.it
Insights
A simplified antibiotic lock therapy (ALT) using the CLC 2000 device effectively treats central venous catheter (CVC) infections and colonization. This method simplifies ALT administration without compromising efficacy, offering a viable alternative to CVC removal.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Oncology
- Medical Devices
Background:
- Central venous catheters (CVCs) are prone to infections and colonization.
- Traditional antibiotic lock therapy (ALT) can be complex to administer.
- A simplified ALT method using a disposable CVC hub device (CLC 2000) has been developed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of a simplified antibiotic lock therapy (ALT) for managing CVC-related infections.
- To assess the performance of the CLC 2000 device in ALT procedures.
Main Methods:
- Antibiotic lock therapy (ALT) was administered using the CLC 2000 connector in patients with recurrent CVC-bloodstream infections (BSIs) or CVC colonization.
- The CLC 2000 device facilitated flushing with normal saline without heparin.
Main Results:
- Achieved antibiotic concentrations in the CVC lumen were significantly higher than minimum inhibitory concentrations (2,500-80,000-fold).
- All treated CVC-BSIs showed complete clinical and microbiological responses.
- No device malfunctions or precipitation issues were observed; no recurrence of infection or colonization occurred during follow-up.
Conclusions:
- Simplified ALT with the CLC 2000 device is a feasible and effective option for infected CVCs in cancer patients.
- This method simplifies ALT preparation and administration, preserving CVC function and avoiding removal.
- The CLC 2000 device offers a valuable tool for managing CVC-related infections.
Introduction:
We report a simplified method of performing antibiotic lock therapy (ALT) based on a disposable central venous catheter (CVC) hub device, CLC 2000, enabling an open-ended CVC to be flushed with normal saline solution without heparin.
Methods:
ALT was administered through a CLC 2000 connector for recurrent CVC-bloodstream infections (BSI) by the same organism in four patients and for CVC colonization in five patients.
Results:
The antibiotic concentration obtained in the lumen of the CVC with ALT was 2,500-fold higher than the minimum inhibiting concentration of targeted bacteria for patients treated with vancomycin, 2,500-80,000-fold higher for patients treated with teicoplanin, and 10,000-fold higher for the patient treated with amikacin. All CVC-BSIs treated with ALT resulted in complete clinical and microbiological responses. No case of malfunction in withdrawing or flushing the CVC and no precipitation during the administration of the antibiotic solution was observed. No recurrence of CVC-BSI or CVC colonization by the same organism was diagnosed during subsequent follow-up, despite the fact that all patients had further periods of severe neutropenia. At the last follow-up, three CVCs had been removed for other infections (fever of unknown origin in two; fungemia in one), four CVCs had been removed at the end of therapy, and one CVC is still in situ 20 months after ALT.
Conclusions:
In conclusion, a course of ALT is feasible in cancer patients with infected but much-needed CVCs before resorting to removal. The use of the CLC 2000 connector device simplifies the procedure for preparation and administration of ALT without compromising its efficacy.
