ClearGuard^™ HD

Catheter infections are frequent, costly,
and deadly

• Increased infection rates are associated with use of invasive devices, in particular, central lines, urinary catheters, and ventilators.¹
• 15-38% of patients receive haemodialysis using a central venous catheter (CVC) in European countries.²
• CLABSIs are very expensive with an estimated additional length of stay of 4-14 days and additional costs per episode of €4200-13 030 in European countries.¹

Reduce haemodialysis catheter infections with a simple, intuitive design

The ClearGuard HD cap features a rod that extends into the haemodialysis catheter hub. The rod and cap threads are coated with chlorhexidine, a well-known broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent.

• When the ClearGuard HD cap is inserted into a liquid-filled catheter, chlorhexidine elutes from the rod into the catheter lock solution.
• The chlorhexidine coating dissolves to kill microorganisms on the inside and outside of the catheter hub.
• The existing catheter clamp holds the antimicrobial agent inside the catheter hub between treatments.
• ClearGuard HD caps are used in place of a standard cap or connector.
• Designed to meet your needs, ClearGuard HD caps can be used with heparin, citrate and saline solutions.

ClearGuard HD caps are clinically proven to reduce CLABSIs in haemodialysis catheter patients

Multiple large, prospective, cluster-randomised multicenter open-label trials demonstrated a significant reduction in the rate of positive blood cultures (PBCs) and CLABSIs using ClearGuard HD caps vs. control groups.

ClearGuard HD Caps vs. Tego^™+ Curos^™

Brunelli, SM et al. Cluster-randomized trial of devices to prevent catheter-related bloodstream infection. J Am Soc Nephrol 2018 Apr; 29(4):1336-1343.

• 13-month prospective, cluster-randomised, multicenter open-label trial
• 1,671 patients (826 treatment, 845 control) accruing ~183,000 CVC days
• 40 centers across the US
• Primary endpoint was PBC rate as an indicator of BSI rate.

When considering the de novo subgroup (new CVCs), use of ClearGuard HD caps was associated with a 72% lower BSI rate.

Curos is a trademark of 3M Company.

ClearGuard HD caps vs. standard
dialysis caps

Hymes, JL et al. Dialysis catheter-related bloodstream infections: a cluster-randomized trial of the ClearGuard HD antimicrobial barrier cap. Am J Kidney Dis. 2017; 69(2):220-227.

• 12-month prospective, cluster-randomised, multicenter, open-label comparative effectiveness trial in haemodialysis patients with central venous catheters
• 2,470 patients (1,245 treatment, 1,225 control) accruing ~350,000 CVC days
• 40 centers across the US
• Primary endpoint was PBC rate as an indicator of BSI rate.

Results: Use of the ClearGuard HD caps for 12 months was associated with a 56% lower BSI rate vs. use of standard caps. When considering sustained use (defined as 6 months of the study), the intervention vs. control was associated with a 69% lower BSI rate.

ClearGuard HD antimicrobial barrier caps used by leading hospitals and clinics

For years, dialysis staff at hospitals and clinics have focused on educational initiatives to reduce bloodstream infections in haemodialysis patients with limited impact. ClearGuard HD caps succeed in reducing infections by killing bacteria where bloodstream infections start—inside the haemodialysis catheter hub. With over 950 hospitals and over 4,600 outpatient dialysis clinics as customers in the US, ClearGuard HD caps are becoming an increasingly important part of haemodialysis infection control best practices.