Background: Catheter-related bloodstream infection remains the most common serious complication associated with long-term parenteral nutrition. Taurolock (Bio-Implant HealthCare, Winsen, Germany), which contains taurolidine, is being marketed as a central venous catheter lock solution for decreasing the risk of catheter sepsis.
Aim: To review available literature and examine the evidence for efficacy of taurolidine in prevention of central venous catheter-related infection.
Materials and methods: Search of MEDLINE, Embase, and the Internet for all studies involving use of taurolidine to prevent central venous catheter infection.
Results: Six in vitro and 11 in vivo studies were assessed. Although in vivo studies suggest a possible useful role for taurolidine, the evidence base from clinical studies is poor, with much of it observational or of poor methodology.
Conclusions: The evidence is insufficient to warrant routine use of taurolidine. However, results of in vitro studies are encouraging and further adequately powered and well-designed randomized trials are required.