Tissue Plasminogen Activator Use in Maintaining Patency in Hemodialysis Access Catheters

Short and long alteplase dwells in dysfunctional hemodialysis catheters

“…3 The majority of HD units have established protocols that use either alteplase (TPA) or reteplase in dwell times ranging from 2 to 96 hr as empiric treatment for CD owing to suspected thrombus. There is some evidence [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] to support the use of TPA in CD; however, there are no studies that address the optimal dwell time. As such, there are no guidelines regarding dwell time published.…”