Prevention of Tunneled Cuffed Hemodialysis Catheter-Related Dysfunction and Bacteremia by the TEGO® Connector: A Single-Center Randomized Controlled Trial

The TEGO® connector (ICU Medical, www.icumed.com) is a closed positive pressure system, flushed with 0.9% sodium chloride and attached on the hubs of the TCC. As recommended by the producer, the TEGO® remains during 3 consecutive HD sessions and is changed every week. By constituting a mechanical barrier, it could be an interesting alternative to reduce the intraluminal contamination and the risk of TCC-B. The TEGO® connector is supposed to provide an automatic positive displacement of fluid at the end of each TCC flush. This positive pressure could prevent the reflux of blood into the TCC lumen, possibly resulting in TCC-D. As the impact of the TEGO® connector on TCC-D and TCC-B has never been studied, we conducted a randomized controlled study in our center by comparing the anti-thrombotic and anti-infectious efficacy of the TEGO® connector to trisodium citrate 46.7% (Citralock®, Dirinco, www.citra-lock.com) . The global cost of both procedures was also evaluated.