OBJECTIVES:
Primary
* Compare the incidence of catheter-related infections (Staphylococcal and Candida) in patients at high risk for a catheter-related infection treated with heparin vs minocycline hydrochloride and edetate calcium disodium (M-EDTA).
Secondary
* Compare the incidence of catheter occlusions in patients treated with these regimens.
OUTLINE: This is a randomized, double-blind, prospective, multicenter study. Patients are stratified according to type of catheter (tunneled central venous catheter \[CVC\] vs nontunneled percutaneous CVC) and participating center. Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 treatment arms.
* Arm I: Patients receive minocycline hydrochloride and edetate calcium disodium (M-EDTA) flush solution into the CVC once daily.
* Arm II: Patients receive heparin flush solution into the CVC once daily. Treatment in both arms continues for up to 3 months in the absence of unacceptable toxicity or until the removal of the catheter.
PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 150 patients will be accrued for this study.
