When Vancomycin and Gentamycin are prescribed during the implant, the antibiotics will stay in the patient’s system for 7 days without dialyzing out during their dialysis treatments. If a patient has a history of chronic infection, the nephrologist might consider keeping the patient on an antibiotic course until the bridging catheter is removed.

Additional considerations to reduce the risk of infection, especially during the bridging period, include:

• Apply antibiotic ointment to the bridging catheter exit site.
• Remove the bridging catheter as soon as possible once the HeRO Graft is being cannulated to decrease the risk of an infection related to the bridging catheter. During clinical trials, the only infections seen were during the bridging period¹.
• All bridging catheters should be cultured upon explant. In the event that the catheter tip cultures are positive, treat the patient with appropriate antibiotics to decrease the risk of the HeRO Graft becoming infected.

¹Katzman H. Initial experience and outcome of a new hemodialysis access device for catheter-dependant patients. J. Vasc. Surg. 2009;50:600-7.

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