Eficacia del uso de bioconectores para los catéteres centrales de hemodiálisis

tunnelled catheters (tc) are the vascular access used in haemodialysis (hd) for a very high percentage of patients. the use of tc is associated to two fundamental problems: dysfunction and infections. according to the guidelines established by the spanish nephrology society (sen), the use of luer-lock catheters is recommended in hd patients. on the market there are also bioconnectors, which are mechanically and microbiologically sealed devices. the advantage they offer is better handling of the catheter lumen when changed once a week. a study was carried out at our centre analysing two consecutive periods in a sample of 14 patients with ct. in the first period the conventional connection protocol was followed and in the second tego bioconnectors were used. arterial and venous blood pressure was measured, blood flows, kt, kt/v and bacteraemia rate. no significant differences were obtained in these parameters with the use of tego devices compared to conventional use. we may conclude that the use of tego locks does not affect the dialytic parameters. however, we should consider the handling of any type of device as secondary in the prevention of bacteraemia, as it has been proved that universal aseptic measures are what achieve a very low bacteraemia rate.