Abstract: 【Abstract】Objective To explore the preventive effect of povidone iodine cap for long-term indwelling catheter- related infection in hemodialysis patients. Method A total of 68 hemodialysis patients were randomly assigned into blank control group (group A, n=23) in which heparin cap was applied to seal catheter
end and 0.5% heparin was used as the lock solution, condition control group (group B, n=23) in which 0.4% gentamycin/0.5% heparin was used as the lock solution, or the treatment group (group C, n=23) in which home-made povidone iodine cap was applied to seal catheter end and heparin was used as the lock solution. The presence of catheter-related infection was observed for one year, and the incidence was compared among the 3 groups. Result In the observation period of 6 months, catheter-related infection was 8, 3 and 2 cases in group A, B and C (P=0.026), respectively. In the observation period of 12 months, catheter - related infection was 13, 6 and 2 cases in group A, B and C (χ2=7.510, P=0.023), respectively. Conclusion The povidone iodine cap can effectively reduce the long-term indwelling catheter-related infection in hemodialysis patients.

Key words: Hemodialysis, Permanent dialysis catheters, Povidone-iodine, Catheter-related infection