Saline + ethanol

Saline + ethanol is a medical solution used primarily for therapeutic purposes in central venous catheters. The combination typically consists of ethanol (usually 70%) mixed with saline solution (0.9% sodium chloride). This solution is most commonly used in a procedure called ethanol lock therapy (ELT), which involves injecting the solution into central venous lines or ports to prevent or treat central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLA-BSIs). The ethanol component works as an antimicrobial agent by dissolving membrane lipid bilayers and denaturing proteins of microorganisms, making it effective against most bacteria, fungi, and viruses. It is particularly valuable because, unlike antibiotics, ethanol does not contribute to antimicrobial resistance. The saline component helps maintain isotonicity, preventing hemolysis that might occur with pure ethanol-water mixtures. For infection prevention, the solution typically dwells in the catheter for at least 4 hours before being removed. For treatment of existing infections, it's often used alongside systemic antibiotics.

Other names

Ethanol lock therapyELT