Evaluation of the efficacy of an interdialytic "ethanol 40% v/v - enoxaparin 1000 U/mL" lock solution to prevent tunnelled catheter infections in chronic hemodialysis patients: a multi-centre, randomized, single blind, parallel group study.

Background: Tunnelled dialysis catheter (TC) infections are a major health complication and are associated with increased antibiotic consumption, hospital stays, health costs and mortality. Experimental data provide evidence that Ethenox, a mixture of enoxaparine 1000 U/mL in 40% v/v ethanol, could be a promising lock solution. The aim of the study is to compare an interdialytic lock solution of Ethenox with reference lock solutions, unfractionated heparin (UFH) or citrate 4% for the prevention of TCI in hemodialysis patients.