Central Venous Infusion Research Articles

ESPEN practical guideline: Home parenteral nutrition

This guideline will inform physicians, nurses, dieticians, pharmacists, caregivers and other home parenteral nutrition (HPN) providers, as well as healthcare administrators and policy makers, about appropriate and safe HPN provision. This guideline will also inform patients requiring HPN. The guideline is based on previous published guidelines and provides an update of current evidence and expert opinion; it consists of 71 recommendations that address the indications for HPN, central venous access device (CVAD) and infusion pump, infusion catheter and CVAD site care, nutritional admixtures, program monitoring and management. Meta-analyses, systematic reviews and single clinical trials based on clinical questions were searched according to the PICO format. The evidence was evaluated and used to develop clinical recommendations implementing Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network methodology. The guideline was commissioned and financially supported by ESPEN and members of the guideline group were selected by ESPEN.

Pharmacologic activation of hepatic farnesoid X receptor prevents parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis in mice.

Parenteral nutrition (PN)-associated cholestasis (PNAC) complicates the care of patients with intestinal failure. In PNAC, phytosterol containing PN synergizes with intestinal injury and IL-1β derived from activated hepatic macrophages to suppress hepatocyte farnesoid X receptor (FXR) signaling and promote PNAC. We hypothesized that pharmacological activation of FXR would prevent PNAC in a mouse model. To induce PNAC, male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to intestinal injury (2% dextran sulfate sodium [DSS] for 4 days) followed by central venous catheterization and 14-day infusion of PN with or without the FXR agonist GW4064. Following sacrifice, hepatocellular injury, inflammation, and biliary and sterol transporter expression were determined. GW4064 (30 mg/kg/day) added to PN on days 4-14 prevented hepatic injury and cholestasis; reversed the suppressed mRNA expression of nuclear receptor subfamily 1, group H, member 4 (Nr1h4)/FXR, ATP-binding cassette subfamily B member 11 (Abcb11)/bile salt export pump, ATP-binding cassette subfamily C member 2 (Abcc2), ATP binding cassette subfamily B member 4(Abcb4), and ATP-binding cassette subfamily G members 5/8(Abcg5/8); and normalized serum bile acids. Chromatin immunoprecipitation of liver showed that GW4064 increased FXR binding to the Abcb11 promoter. Furthermore, GW4064 prevented DSS-PN-induced hepatic macrophage accumulation, hepatic expression of genes associated with macrophage recruitment and activation (ll-1b, C-C motif chemokine receptor 2, integrin subunit alpha M, lymphocyte antigen 6 complex locus C), and hepatic macrophage cytokine transcription in response to lipopolysaccharide in vitro. In primary mouse hepatocytes, GW4064 activated transcription of FXR canonical targets, irrespective of IL-1β exposure. Intestinal inflammation and ileal mRNAs (Nr1h4, Fgf15, and organic solute transporter alpha) were not different among groups, supporting a liver-specific effect of GW4064 in this model. GW4064 prevents PNAC in mice through restoration of hepatic FXR signaling, resulting in increased expression of canalicular bile and of sterol and phospholipid transporters and suppression of macrophage recruitment and activation. These data support augmenting FXR activity as a therapeutic strategy to alleviate or prevent PNAC.

Key issues of patient safety during anticancer drug treatment in a day hospital and outpatient setting

Background. In the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the vector of healthcare development is aimed at minimizing contacts among citizens, which is especially important for cancer patients, given the immunosuppression caused by cytostatics.The objective of the review is to present the development prospects of hospital-substituting technologies for drug antitumor treatment. Two main components are considered that allow effective and safe infusion of anticancer drugs in a day hospital: central venous access devices and infusion pumps, various types of these devices, their safety and experience of use today are described.Materials and methods. We searched for available literature published in PubMed, Medline, eLIBRARY, Cochrane Library, CyberLeninka, Global.health, etc. 42 sources were found and analyzed, published from 2002 to 2021.Results. Outpatient anticancer drug treatment is a real alternative to hospital stay, based on many years of world experience. The qualifications level of medical personnel involved in the treatment process should allow early monitoring of various adverse events development. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to ensure the continuity of the treatment process while minimizing risks to the patient.Conclusion. With a careful approach and adequate infrastructure availability, drug treatment in a day hospital can reduce the burden on round-the-clock stay hospital and positively affect the patients’ quality of life and their compliance with treatment.

Percutaneous Retrieval of an Embolized Chemoport Catheter from Right Side of Heart Using Novel Technique

Chemoport, a central venous infusion system, is commonly used in cancer patients for administration of chemotherapy. Dislodgment with subsequent migration of chemoport catheter into the heart is a rare but potentially catastrophic complication. The treatment of choice is immediate retrieval of dislodged part of catheter by either surgery or percutaneous approach. Percutaneous removal is safer and less invasive, making it the standard treatment modality. We herein report the case of a 22-year-old male who was referred to us for the management of a dislodged chemoport catheter used for chemotherapy for Hodgkin’s disease. In this article, we discuss the treatment approach in this particular case as well as review the existing literature.

ESPEN guideline on home parenteral nutrition.

This guideline will inform physicians, nurses, dieticians, pharmacists, caregivers and other home parenteral nutrition (HPN) providers, as well as healthcare administrators and policy makers, about appropriate and safe HPN provision. This guideline will also inform patients requiring HPN. The guideline is based on previous published guidelines and provides an update of current evidence and expert opinion; it consists of 71 recommendations that address the indications for HPN, central venous access device (CVAD) and infusion pump, infusion line and CVAD site care, nutritional admixtures, program monitoring and management. Meta-analyses, systematic reviews and single clinical trials based on clinical questions were searched according to the PICO format. The evidence was evaluated and used to develop clinical recommendations implementing Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network methodology. The guideline was commissioned and financially supported by ESPEN and members of the guideline group were selected by ESPEN.

Occurrence of deep venous thrombosis in adult burn patients and its risk factors

Objective: To investigate the occurrence and risk factors of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in adult burn patients. Methods: The clinical data of 1 219 adult burn patients admitted to the Department of Burns of Zhengzhou First People's Hospital from January 1, 2015 to August 31, 2016, conforming to the study criteria, were analyzed retrospectively by the method of case-control study, including 811 males and 408 females, aged 18-102 years. According to whether DVT occurred during hospitalization or not, the patients were divided into group DVT (n=12) and non-DVT group (n=1 207). The incidence of DVT, the diagnosis time of DVT, affected limbs, and DVT classification were counted and recorded. The gender, age, total burn area, D-dimer, lower limb burn, full-thickness burn, femoral vein indwelling central venous catheter (CVC) , inhalation injury, sepsis/infection shock, surgical operation, and infusion of concentrated red blood cells of patients between the two groups were compared with chi-square test, and then the indicators with statistically significant differences between the two groups were processed by multivariate binary logistic regression analysis to screen the independent risk factors of DVT in the adult burn patients. Results: (1) The incidence of DVT of adult burn patients was 0.98% (12/1 219), and DVT was diagnosed 24-138 days after injury, with a median of 61.5 days. DVT occurred in the right lower limb of 2 patients, left lower limb of 8 patients, and bilateral lower limbs of 2 patients, and DVT classification included 6 cases of mixed type and 6 cases of peripheral type. (2) There were no statistically significant differences in gender, age, and full-thickness burn of patients between the two groups ( χ(2)=1.524, 0.021, 3.115, P>0.05). There were statistically significant differences in total burn area, lower limb burn, inhalation injury, sepsis/infection shock, D-dimer, femoral vein indwelling CVC, surgical operation, and infusion of concentrated red blood cells among patients between the two groups (χ(2)=17.975, 6.206, 3.987, 8.875, 5.447, 15.124, 10.735, 14.031, P<0.05 or P<0.01). (3) Total burn area, D-dimer, and femoral vein indwelling CVC were independent risk factors for DVT in adult burn patients (odds ratio=10.927, 4.762, 9.394, 95% confidence interval=3.078-38.789, 1.197-18.934, 2.631-33.540, P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusions: The incidence of DVT in adult burn patients is relatively low, and the diagnosis time of DVT is 3 weeks after burn, with DVT classification of mixed type and peripheral type. The total burn area, femoral vein indwelling CVC, and D-dimer are independent risk factors for predicting DVT in adult burn patients.

Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of the central venous administration of potassium chloride including the measurement of intracardiac potassium concentrations

This study examined the safety and efficacy of the intravenous administration of 20 mEq potassium chloride (KCl) dissolved in a 100 cc 5% dextrose in sterile water bolus over 1 hour through a subclavian central vein catheter in critical care unit patients for the treatment of low and low to normal serum potassium concentrations. We studied seven patients with morning serum potassium between 2.4 and 3.6 mEq/L who had intravenous KCl boluses ordered by their treating physician. Intracardiac and peripheral venous potassium levels were obtained before, during, and after infusion. Holter and electrocardiogram assessment of rhythm, supraventricular and ventricular ectopy, and electrical intervals were recorded before, during, and after the intravenous KCl bolus. The cardiac rhythm, heart rates, and electrocardiographic intervals remained unchanged throughout the infusion and postinfusion phases. In six of the seven patients, there was no new or worsening supraventricular or ventricular ectopy temporally related to the infusion. Postinfusion potassium levels increased in all patients, with an average peripheral vein serum potassium increase of 0.4 mEq/L. In conclusion, within the limitations of our sample size, our study demonstrated the safety and efficacy of the central venous infusion of 20 mEq KCl in 100 cc 5% dextrose in sterile water administered over 1 hour.

Early diagnosis and treatment for burn complicated with severe paroxysmal sympathetic hyper-activity

Objective: To investigate the early diagnosis and treatment for burn complicated with severe paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity (PSH). Methods: Medical records of patients with burn complicated with severe PSH, admitted to our department from April 2016 to March 2019 and meeting the inclusion criteria were analyzed retrospectively. There were 4 males and 1 female, aged 17 months to 39 years, with an average of (21±16) years. During occurrence of PSH, the vital signs of patients were routinely monitored and oxygen were given. Other treatment included central venous catheterization and infusion of electrolyte solution, infusion of plasma according to patients' condition, use of opioid analgesics and benzodiazepine sedatives, physical cooling and drug cooling, and establishment or maintenance of artificial airway and use of ventilator. Heart rate was controlled below 120 beats per minute in adults and 140 beats per minute in children with comprehensive treatment dominated by analgesia and sedation. Besides, single or multiple vasoactive agents, even in large doses were used to maintain normal blood pressure of patients. The occurrence characteristics, time, and treatment outcome of PSH were analyzed. Results: PSH happened rapidly, with a sharp increase in several minutes to dozens of minutes. Five patients were with symptoms such as high body temperature, shortness of breath, very fast heart rate, normal or elevated systolic blood pressure, hyperhidrosis, and dystonia at the onset. The symptoms occurred simultaneously or successively. According to the Clinical Feature Scale, the above-mentioned 6 indexes achieved the highest score of 3 points except of systolic blood pressure. Four patients showed dilated pupils and impaired consciousness. Among the patients, PSH occurred in the acute exudation stage in 3 patients, in the fluid reabsorption stage in 1 patient, and in the late repair stage in 1 patient. PSH of patients lasted for 3 hours to 12 days. The symptoms of 4 patients were effectively controlled, and 1 patient died of deterioration. No PSH occurred in the cured patients during follow-up of 3 to 14 months. Conclusions: Burn complicated with PSH can occur at any time before wound repair and in patients with different injury conditions. The causes of PSH include sudden burn, persistent pain, fright and fear, strange environment, low blood volume, and other adverse stimuli, and PSH is more likely to occur in children with underdeveloped brain function. Intravenous infusion of analgesics sedatives, physical therapy and medication to lower body temperature, stabilizing blood pressure and respiration are effective measures to treat PSH. PSH should be distinguished from the common complications of burns, such as sepsis, cerebral edema, hyperpyretic convulsion, transfusion response, stress disorder, etc.

Abstract 193: Intraosseous Transfusion With Liposome-Encapsulated Hemoglobin (HbV) Comparably Improves Rat Survival and its Arrythmogenesis Undergoing Progressive Lethal 85% Hemorrhage With Central Venous Infusion: Possible Implication for Pre-Hospital Settings

Liposome-encapsulated hemoglobin (HbV) can serve as blood substitute in hemorrhagic shock (HS). To investigate the resuscitation effect of HbV through intraosseous transfusion (IO) on lethal hemorrhage and its efficacy on myocardial arrhythmogenesis, optical mapping analysis (OMP) and electrophysiological study (EPS) were performed in graded blood exchange up to 85% blood loss in rats. And it was compared with central venous infusion (CVI). Total 90 rats were randomly allocated into 6 subgroups as followings; through IO or CVI, gradually exchanged blood with 5% albumin (Alb-IO/CVI-groups), exchanged with washed rat erythrocyte (wRBC-IO/CVI-groups) and with HbV (HbV-IO/CVI-groups). Survival effects were examined in each six rat groups. After excising the heart, OMP and EPS were performed. All rats died in Alb-IO/CVI-groups whereas excellent and comparably survived for following &gt;48-hours in wRBC-IO/CVI-groups and HbV-IO/CVI-groups (Figure 1). OMP revealed impaired (prolonged) action potential duration (APD) dispersion in LV in Alb-IO/CVI-groups. In contrast, myocardial APD dispersions in LV were substantially attenuated in HbV-IO/CVI-groups and wRBC-IO/CVI-groups (Figure 2). Lethal arrhythmias (VT/VF) were provoked by EPS in Alb-IO/CVI-groups. No VT/VF was induced in both HbV-IO/CVI-groups and wRBC-IO/CVI-groups. Conclusions: IO vascular access could a reliable bridging method to resuscitate lethal HS by HbV. This suggests that IO with HbV resuscitation might be useful in pre-hospital settings in HS through preventing lethal arrhythmias.

A SCORING SYSTEM TO DECIDE ICU ADMISSIONS IN PATIENTS WITH SUBSTANCE OVERDOSE

SESSION TITLE: Critical Care 2 SESSION TYPE: Original Investigation Posters PRESENTED ON: 10/10/2018 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM PURPOSE: Patients presenting with substance overdose (recreational or prescription) are often admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). While ICU-level interventions are needed for some, many admitted to the ICU do not require these. To balance patient safety and judicious use of ICU resources, we studied the accuracy of a set of clinical criteria in identifying patients who may require ICU-level interventions. METHODS: We conducted an IRB-approved retrospective study at a large, academic medical center. Through electronic chart review, we identified all adult patients presenting with substance overdose over 1 year (7/1/16 – 6/30/17). Based on prior literature, cutoffs were set as follows for each of the key clinical criteria: respiratory rate (≤8 or ≥30 per minute), oxygen saturation (<90%), systolic blood pressure (<90 or >200 mmHg), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score (<14) and QRS duration on electrocardiogram (>120 millisecond). ICU admission was said to be indicated if any of the above criteria were met. We recorded ICU-level interventions performed for patients, including mechanical ventilation, central venous access, hemodynamic infusions, cardiac pacing or arrhythmia management, or continuous renal replacement therapy. RESULTS: A total of 179 patients were identified with a median age of 42 years. 87 were men and 92 were female. Of these, 146 patients (81%) had one or more abnormal clinical criteria. Of the 179 patients, 36 (20%) received ICU-level interventions. Using these data, sensitivity of the criteria in identifying patients needing ICU care was 94.4%. The specificity was 21.6%. 99 patients were actually admitted to the ICU, of which 66 did not require any ICU-level intervention. Of these, the criteria would have accurately predicted that 11 (16.7%) did not need ICU admission. CONCLUSIONS: We found that a composite tool using multiple clinical criteria can be very sensitive in identifying patients who may benefit from ICU-level care. Of the patients actually admitted to the ICU, two-thirds did not require ICU-level interventions. Of these, this tool would have appropriately reduced 16.7% of ICU admissions, in a safe manner.Our results are similar to the sensitivity and specificity reported in the literature using composite variables to create a triaging tool for patients with substance overdose. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: While ICU care is potentially life-saving, it is resource-intensive. This study is an important step in the development of a tool to help triage patients with substance overdose or poisoning to the appropriate level of care. The tool used in this study is sensitive enough to safely screen patients in or out of the ICU. Once patients are screened using this tool, additional clinical judgment can then be used to decide whether ICU admission is warranted. This approach would reduce the number of ICU admissions without compromising patient safety. DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Sumedh Hoskote, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Shaun Noronha, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Swathi Sangli, source=Web Response

The effects of hemoglobin glutamer-200 and iNO on pulmonary vascular tone and arterial oxygenation in an experimental acute respiratory distress syndrome

IntroductionHemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOC) have been developed as an alternative to blood transfusions. Their nitric-oxide-scavenging properties HBOC also induce vasoconstriction. In acute lung injury, an excess of nitric oxide results in a general vasodilation, reducing oxygenation by impairing the hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction. Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) is used to correct the ventilation perfusion mismatch. We hypothesized that the additional use of HBOC might increase this effect. In a rodent model of ARDS we evaluated the combined effect of HBOC and iNO on vascular tone and gas exchange. MethodsARDS was induced in anaesthetized Wistar rats by saline lavage and aggressive ventilation. Two groups received either hydroxyethylstarch 10% (HES; n = 10) or the HBOC hemoglobin glutamer-200 (HBOC-200; n = 10) via a central venous infusion. Additionally, both groups received iNO. Monitoring of the right ventricular pressure (RVP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) was performed with microtip transducers. Arterial oxygenation was measured via arterial blood gas analyses. ResultsApplication of HBOC-200 led to a significant increase of MAP and RVP when compared to baseline and to the HES group. This effect was reversed by iNO. The application of HBOC and iNO had no effect on the arterial oxygenation over time. No difference in arterial oxygenation was found between the groups. ConclusionApplication of HBOC led to an increase of systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance in this animal model of ARDS. The increase in RVP was reversed by iNO. Pulmonary vasoconstriction by hemoglobin glutamer-200 in combination with iNO did not improve arterial oxygenation in ARDS.

Effectiveness of Intracavitary Electrocardiogram Guidance in Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter Tip Placement in Neonates.

Correct tip location is crucial for a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) to maximize the effects of central venous infusion. However, it is difficult to place the tip in a correct location in neonates because of the unreliable estimated length by surface landmark. Therefore, we evaluated the feasibility and safety of an improved intracavitary electrocardiogram (IC-ECG) technique in guiding PICC placement in neonates based on the ratios of P/R wave amplitudes on IC-ECG. The results showed that all of the 32 neonates whose PICCs had been successfully placed and correct tip position verified by chest radiography acquired qualified P wave on IC-ECG. The average ratio of P/R wave amplitude was 0.6 ± 0.1, with a range of 0.4 to 0.8. The 49 neonates who received IC-ECG-guided PICC catheterization showed higher success rates of correct PICC tip position on the first attempt than traditional, predetermined length estimation on surface landmark (93.9% vs 62.5%, χ = 18.01, P < .001). No significant complications occurred in the studied neonates. Based on these findings, IC-ECG-guided tip placement appears to be a promising approach in improving the success rate of tip location when placing a PICC in neonates.

Complication Rates of 3% Hypertonic Saline Infusion Through Peripheral Intravenous Access.

Hyperosmolar therapy with hypertonic saline (HTS) is a cornerstone in the management of intracranial hypertension and hyponatremia in the neurological intensive care unit. Theoretical safety concerns remain for infiltration, thrombophlebitis, tissue ischemia, and venous thrombosis associated with continuous 3% HTS administered via peripheral intravenous (pIV) catheters. It is common practice at many institutions to allow only central venous catheter infusion of 3% HTS. Hospital policy was changed to allow the administration of 3% HTS via 16- to 20-gauge pIVs to a maximum infusion rate of 50 mL/h in patients without central venous access. We prospectively monitored patients who received peripheral 3% HTS as part of a quality improvement project. We documented gauge, location, maximum infusion rate, and total hours of administration. Patients were assessed for infiltration, erythema, swelling, phlebitis, thrombosis, and line infection. There were 28 subjects across 34 peripheral lines monitored. Overall, subjects received 3% HTS for a duration between 1 and 124 hours with infusion rates of 30 to 50 mL/h. The rate of complications observed was 10.7% among all subjects. Documented complications included infiltration (n = 2), with an incidence of 6%, and thrombophlebitis (n = 1), with an incidence of 3%. There has been a long concern among healthcare providers, including nursing staff, in regard to pIV administration of prolonged 3% HTS infusion therapy. Our study indicates that peripheral administration of 3% HTS carries a low risk of minor, nonlimb, or life-threatening complications. Although central venous infusion may reduce the risk of these minor complications, it may increase the risk of more serious complications such as large vessel thrombosis, bloodstream infection, pneumothorax, and arterial injury. The concern regarding the risks of pIV administration of 3% HTS may be overstated and unfounded.

Percutaneous retrieval of a fractured chemoport

Chemoport, a central venous infusion system, is commonly used in cancer patients for administration of chemotherapy. Dislodgement with subsequent migration of chemoport catheter in to the heart is a rare but potentially catastrophic complication. The treatment of choice is immediate retrieval of the dislodged part of catheter by surgery or percutaneous approach. Percutaneous removal is safer and less invasive making it the standard treatment modality. We report the case of a 9-year-old child who was referred to us for the management of a dislodged chemoport catheter.

Endogenous Nutritive Support after Traumatic Brain Injury: Peripheral Lactate Production for Glucose Supply via Gluconeogenesis.

We evaluated the hypothesis that nutritive needs of injured brains are supported by large and coordinated increases in lactate shuttling throughout the body. To that end, we used dual isotope tracer ([6,6-2H2]glucose, i.e., D2-glucose, and [3-13C]lactate) techniques involving central venous tracer infusion along with cerebral (arterial [art] and jugular bulb [JB]) blood sampling. Patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) who had nonpenetrating head injuries (n=12, all male) were entered into the study after consent of patients' legal representatives. Written and informed consent was obtained from healthy controls (n=6, including one female). As in previous investigations, the cerebral metabolic rate (CMR) for glucose was suppressed after TBI. Near normal arterial glucose and lactate levels in patients studied 5.7±2.2 days (range of days 2–10) post-injury, however, belied a 71% increase in systemic lactate production, compared with control, that was largely cleared by greater (hepatic+renal) glucose production. After TBI, gluconeogenesis from lactate clearance accounted for 67.1% of glucose rate of appearance (Ra), which was compared with 15.2% in healthy controls. We conclude that elevations in blood glucose concentration after TBI result from a massive mobilization of lactate from corporeal glycogen reserves. This previously unrecognized mobilization of lactate subserves hepatic and renal gluconeogenesis. As such, a lactate shuttle mechanism indirectly makes substrate available for the body and its essential organs, including the brain, after trauma. In addition, when elevations in arterial lactate concentration occur after TBI, lactate shuttling may provide substrate directly to vital organs of the body, including the injured brain.

Influence of levosimendan on organ dysfunction in patients with severely reduced left ventricular function undergoing cardiac surgery.

Levosimendan is an inotropic drug with organ-protective properties due to its activation of mitochondrial K(ATP) channels. This prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study investigated whether administration of levosimendan prior to cardiopulmonary bypass could reduce organ dysfunction and influence subsequent secondary endpoints. Patients with left ventricular ejection fraction <30% scheduled for elective coronary artery bypass surgery (with or without valve surgery) received either levosimendan (12.5 mg, 0.1 µg kg(-1) per min; n = 17) or placebo (n = 16) central venous infusion, immediately after anaesthesia induction, as add-on medication to a goal-orientated treatment algorithm. A total of 33 patients completed the study. There were no statistically significant differences in Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores, survival, haemodynamic parameters, time to extubation, time in intensive care unit, need for haemodialysis or health-related quality-of-life at 6 months post operation. The levosimendan group compared with the placebo group had significantly lower use of epinephrine (35% versus 81%) and nitroglycerine (6% versus 44%) 24 h postoperation, and significantly less frequent serious adverse events (13% versus 47%). These preliminary results show that timely perioperative levosimendan treatment is feasible, has a favourable safety profile safe and may help to prevent low cardiac output syndrome. However, organ function was not preserved. Further studies, using larger sample sizes, are required.

Successful Percutaneous Retrieval of a Dislodged Chemo-port Catheter Using Snare Technique in a Three Year Old Child: A Case Report

Chemoport, a central venous infusion system is commonly used in cancer patients for administration of chemotherapy. Dislodgement with subsequent migration of chemoport catheter in to the heart is rare but potentially catastrophic complication. The treatment of choice is immediate retrieval of dislodged part of catheter by either surgery or percutaneous approach. Percutaneous removal is safer and less invasive making it the standard treatment modality. We herein report the case of a 3 year old child who was referred to us for the management of a dislodged chemoport catheter. In this article we discuss the treatment approach in this particular case as well as review the existing literature.

POLYCLONAL OUTBREAK OF BLOODSTREAM INFECTIONS CAUSED BY Burkholderia cepacia COMPLEX IN HEMATOLOGY AND BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT OUTPATIENT UNITS

Aim: The objective was to describe an outbreak of bloodstream infections by Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) in bone marrow transplant and hematology outpatients. Methods: On February 15, 2008 a Bcc outbreak was suspected. 24 cases were identified. Demographic and clinical data were evaluated. Environment and healthcare workers' (HCW) hands were cultured. Species were determined and typed. Reinforcement of hand hygiene, central venous catheter (CVC) care, infusion therapy, and maintenance of laminar flow cabinet were undertaken. 16 different HCWs had cared for the CVCs. Multi-dose heparin and saline were prepared on counter common to both units. Findings: 14 patients had B. multivorans (one patient had also B. cenopacia), six non-multivorans Bcc and one did not belong to Bcc. Clone A B. multivorans occurred in 12 patients (from Hematology); in 10 their CVC had been used on February 11/12. Environmental and HCW cultures were negative. All patients were treated with meropenem, and ceftazidime lock-therapy. Eight patients (30%) were hospitalized. No deaths occurred. After control measures (multidose vial for single patient; CVC lock with ceftazidime; cleaning of laminar flow cabinet; hand hygiene improvement; use of cabinet to store prepared medication), no new cases occurred. Conclusions: This polyclonal outbreak may be explained by a common source containing multiple species of Bcc, maybe the laminar flow cabinet common to both units. There may have been contamination by B. multivorans (clone A) of multi-dose vials.

Selective Pulmonary Artery Perfusion With Blood Flow Occlusion Delivers Concentrated Levels of Chemotherapy to Ipsilateral Hilar and Mediastinal Lymph Nodes.

BackgroundAlthough survival is historically low for patients presenting with N2 lung cancer, patients who respond to chemotherapy have up to a 30% chance for long term survival or cure. Selective pulmonary artery perfusion (SPAP) has been examined in several animal studies as a method for delivering chemotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer; however, there is a paucity of data regarding the effect of SPAP on regional lymph nodes.MethodsLeft SPAP was performed using gemcitabine on five swine and compared with standard central venous infusion in controls. Samples were taken from lung, kidney, liver, plasma, and lymph nodes. Tissue was measured for gemcitabine concentration using mass spectroscopy.ResultsLeft SPAP resulted in significantly higher gemcitabine concentration than standard infusion in hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes while plasma gemcitabine concentration was not significantly different.ConclusionSPAP is a viable technique for concentrating a chemotherapeutic agent in the mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes. This could potentially increase the response to chemotherapy and render more patients to be surgical candidates who present with N2 disease.

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Introduction: THAM has been suggested as an alternative buffer to NaHCO3, particularly in respiratory acidosis since it has the advantage to act as a pure proton acceptor. In a previous experiment using a porcine respiratory acidosis lung injury model we, however, recognized a somewhat lower PvCO2-PaCO2 difference during THAM infusion as well as a higher PaCO2 than in the controls after concluded infusion. We studied this now in more detail with a higher dose of THAM. Methods: In 12 anesthetized, lung lavaged, endotracheally intubated and mechanically ventilated piglets we induced hypercapnic acidosis by reducing tidal volume from 6ml/kg to 3 ml/kg. In 6 piglets we infused 3.3mM THAM (3 ml/kg/h) in a central vein for 3 h followed by 3 hours observation, whereas the others served as controls. Hemodynamics and blood gases were obtained at 8 occasions during the first 2 h, and then every h until the end of the experiment. Results: In the THAM group the PvCO2-PaCO2 difference was 1.5 ± 4.2 mmHg (mean±SD) at end of infusion and increased to 7.3 ± 5.6 mmHg at 6 h. In the controls these differences were 16.1 ± 5.2 and 15.9 ± 5.8 respectively (p<0.001 compared with THAM). This resulted in significantly higher PaCO2 at the end of the experiment in the THAM group (169 ± 12.5 vs. 103 ± 11.5 mmHg in controls p=0.001) despite similar pH (7.16 ± 0.035) as in the controls caused by the expected increase in HCO3 (55.6 ± 2.7 vs. 31.5 ± 2.7mmol/L in controls, p=0.001) Conclusions: Our study suggests that pulmonary CO2 removal is reduced during central venous infusion of THAM for buffering of respiratory acidosis. The reason for this result is unknown, but might be due the increased HCO3 reducing the solubility of CO2, reduction of blood CO2 as well a drag of CO2 from the alveolar space by THAM or inhibition of carbon anhydrase in the erythrocytes.