Gambro introduces EverFlow Dolphin Protect™: The first hemodialysis catheter of its kind

“The EverFlow Dolphin Protect hemodialysis catheter builds further on the success of our Dolphin Protect™ short-term hemodialysis catheter,” says Chuck Immel, President of Gambro’s Ventures Business Unit. “The catheter’s unique surface coating reduces blood activation and helps prevent catheter biodegradation ², resulting in better treatment quality for patients, and better cost-efficiency for clinics.”

What makes EverFlow Dolphin Protect unique?
Gambro’s Dolphin Protect™ technology integrates the antibacterial Bismuth additive into the surface coating of the catheter. This reduces the risk of catheter-related infections, which can cause major complications for hemodialysis patients with indwelling catheters. Gambro’s innovative coating technology is the first antibacterial coating system on the market to work without the active release of pharmaceuticals (i.e. antibiotics) or other components, like silver.

What are the benefits?
The level of protection offered by EverFlow Dolphin Protect hemodialysis catheters means that fewer catheter changes are required, thus enabling reduced clinical costs and facilitating better care and comfort for patients. Clinical studies performed with the Dolphin Protect’s surface coating revealed significantly prolonged catheter survival, significantly more treatments per catheter, reduced bacterial colonization and higher efficiency with lower dysfunction rate and reduced clotting risk compared to uncoated catheters.^{3, 4}

More information
EverFlow Dolphin Protect is CE marked and thus available for sale within the EEA (European Economic Area). Registration is on-going in other markets. Please find more information about this product as well as downloadable material at www.gambro.com

About Vascular Access at Gambro
Vascular Access is part of Gambro’s Ventures Business Unit, and offers a range of products for accessing the blood during dialysis and other extracorporeal therapies. Gambro’s Vascular Access products include a wide range of catheters, fistula needles and related accessories.

References:

1. Dietrich R, Haug U, Schnell A, Mack A, Ruhl U, Stemmer S, Deppisch R, Development of an anti-thrombogenic and anti-biofilm surface for application in vascular access technology, J Blood Purification 2005; 23:395-415 [13A]

2. Verbeke F, Haug U, Dhondt A, Beck W, Schnell A, Diestrich R, Deppisch R, Vanholder R. The role of polymer surface degradation and barium sulphate release in the pathogenesis of catheter-related infection. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2010; 25: 1207-1213. Conflict of interest statement: This study was sponsored by Gambro

3. Meier P, Prolonged catheter survival in patients with acute kidney insufficiency on Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy using a less thrombogenic micropatterned polymer modification, Hemodialysis International 2009; Vol. 13 (3): 416

4. Schindler R, Heemann U, Haug U, Stoelck B, Karatas A, Pohle C, Deppisch R, Beck W, Hollenbeck M, Bismuth coating of non-tunneled haemodialysis catheters reduces bacterial colonization: a randomized controlled trial. NDT Advance Access published online on March 17, 2010.  Conflict of interest statement: U.H., R.D. and W.B. are full-time employees of Gambro. R.S. received research grants and lecture honorarium from Gambro.

For further information please contact:

Kirstin Fischer, Director of Marketing & Sales Support, Vascular Access, +49 7471 17 5631
Maria Lundbäck, Director of External Communications, +46 8 613 6534