Using gentle heat to save infected central venous catheters
Adjuvant heat treatment for catheter salvage in central line associated bloodstream infection (HEATSAVE)
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · NIH-11326295
This project tries warming infected central catheters to loosen protective biofilms so antibiotics can clear bloodstream infections in patients who cannot have their lines removed.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (ANN ARBOR, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11326295 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If I have an infected central line and removing it is too risky, doctors would apply controlled, modest heat to the catheter while it stays in place to soften and disperse the bacterial biofilm and then treat with antibiotics. Early lab work showed that modest temperature rises can reduce biofilm mass and make bacteria more vulnerable to antibiotics. The team will translate these findings toward clinical procedures that aim to salvage catheters in situ, monitoring safety, infection clearance, and catheter function. The work is led at the University of Michigan and combines laboratory experiments with patient-focused protocols.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are patients with central line-associated bloodstream infections who are poor candidates for catheter removal or replacement, such as many hemodialysis patients with limited vascular access.
Not a fit: Patients with infections that require immediate device removal, widespread sepsis, or infections not involving biofilm on catheters may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could let some patients keep their existing central lines while clearing infections, avoiding risky replacements.
How similar studies have performed: Laboratory and preliminary data suggest heat can weaken biofilms and boost antibiotic killing, but clinical catheter-salvage using heat is largely novel and not yet proven in patients.
Where this research is happening
ANN ARBOR, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR — ANN ARBOR, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: VANEPPS, J SCOTT — UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR
- Study coordinator: VANEPPS, J SCOTT
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions: Centers for Disease Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)