Catheter Lock Solution Keeps Bacteria at Bay

A citric acid based catheter lock solution (CLS) eliminates the growth of bacteria, yeast, and fungi in different types of catheters.

The Loxxit CLS--a 46.7% trisodium citrate dihydrate in a 5 mL solution--is a sterile solution that prevents the coagulation of blood, eliminates the growth of microorganisms in any type of intravenous catheter, and prevents biofilm formation through the catheter lumen. Trisodium citrate dihydrate is a tribasic salt of citric acid, and is produced by complete neutralization of citric acid with high purity sodium source and subsequent crystallization. Trisodium citrate dihydrate is widely used in foods, beverages, and various technical applications mainly as a buffering, sequestering, or emulsifying agent.

Loxxit is a defined as a preventive-action product, since it is designed to prevent problems from occurring rather than treating problems that have occurred. The Loxxit solution is a product of Citra Anticoagulants (Braintree, MA, USA), and has been received the European Community (CE) mark.

Microbial biofilms formed in catheters are associated with systemic infections as well as decreased efficiency due to catheter thrombosis. Currently, the most widely used anticoagulant CLS in use is sodium heparin; the CLS functions by physically occupying space within the catheter and exerting pressure on the patient's circulating blood, preventing it from back filling into the catheter and clotting.


Related Links:
Citra Anticoagulants