Abstract
The venous catheter is used for a variety of medical procedures. A dangerous complication of an implanted catheter with po-tentially very serious consequences is a catheter infection.
Antimicrobial locks are used in the prevention and treatment of these infections. Taurolidine [bis-(1,1-dioxoperhydro-1,2,4-thiadiazinyl-4)-methane] is a derivative of the amino acid taurine.
This sub-stance replaces previously used antimicrobial locks with ethanol or antibiotics. It has broad antimicrobial effects.
The mechanism of action is the binding of the hydroxymethyl group to the cell wall of the microorganism, which leads to its irreversible damage. The preventive use of taurolidine is associated with a fourfold reduction in the risk of catheter infection.
Due to the minimal side effects, wide antimicrobial spectrum and the absence of resistance, it is gradually becoming the gold standard in the prevention and treatment of catheter infections.