Abstract: SA-PO1102
Association of DefenCath Catheter Locking Solution Use with Reduced Rates of Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections in Real-World Dialysis Centers
Session Information
- Kidney Replacement Therapy and Care Delivery Innovations
October 24, 2026 | Location: Exhibit Hall A, Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Dialysis
- 801 Dialysis: Hemodialysis and Frequent Dialysis
Authors
- Weir, Sharada, CorMedix Therapeutics, Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, United States
- Crandon, Jared L., CorMedix Therapeutics, Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, United States
- Block, Martha, US Renal Care Inc, Decatur, Georgia, United States
- Block, Geoff, US Renal Care Inc, Decatur, Georgia, United States
- Hurlburt, Liz, CorMedix Therapeutics, Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, United States
Background
DefenCath (taurolidine/heparin) catheter locking solution received US Food and Drug Administration approval in November 2023. In the LOCK-IT-100 Phase 3 pivotal trial of adults with renal failure receiving hemodialysis via central venous catheter (CVC), DefenCath reduced the risk of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) by 71% compared with heparin alone (Agarwal et al. 2023). The present study evaluates DefenCath effectiveness in real-world dialysis center use.
Methods
Real-world data from US Renal Care (USRC) were used to examine rates of CRBSIs among patients receiving DefenCath (July 1, 2024–September 30, 2025) compared with historical controls who received heparin (July 1, 2022–June 30, 2024). Cases included Medicare enrollees receiving DefenCath in the prospective study period. Control subjects insured by Medicare were selected using propensity score matching (1:1, nearest neighbor) on age, sex, race, ethnicity, geographic region, and baseline Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score. Outcomes included: (1) rates of CRBSI identified using outpatient ICD-10-CM codes T80.211x (bloodstream infection due to a central venous catheter) per 1000 exposure days; and (2) rates of hospitalization secondary to CRBSI (primary diagnosis: T80.211x).
Results
Cases (N=7,491) were indistinguishable from matched controls (N=7,491) on all baseline variables (standardized differences <0.1). Cases and control subjects had a mean (sd) age of 68 (14) years and a mean (sd) baseline CCI score of 1.2 (1.9); 47% were female; and 62% belonged to racial/ethnic minority groups. Rates of CRBSI were 76.6% lower in the DefenCath cohort compared with historical controls (0.0118 vs 0.0504 per 1000 exposure days; p<0.001). Rates of hospitalization secondary to CRBSI fell by 59.7% (0.0098 vs 0.0243 per 1000 exposure days; p<0.001).
Conclusion
Adoption of DefenCath was associated with significant reductions in rates of CRBSI and associated hospitalizations. Real-world patients were older and more likely to belong to a minority group than those in the LOCK-IT trial. However, CRBSI rates were lower than those previously reported owing to the highly specific T-codes selected to definitively identify CVCs as the source of infection. Future analyses will encompass more sensitive definitions, including additional ICD-10-CM codes, clinic records, and blood cultures.
Acknowledgment
We are grateful to Amanda Leppink, Senior Manager of Clinical Research Projects at US Renal Care, for assistance with obtaining, de-identifying, and cleansing the patient data used in these analyses.
Funding
- Commercial Support – CorMedix Therapeutics