Clinical Outcomes Associated With Diltiazem Use in Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction After Implementation of a Clinical Support System.

BACKGROUND: Despite atrial fibrillation guideline recommendations, many patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (EF) continue to receive IV diltiazem for acute rate control. OBJECTIVE: Our institution recently implemented a clinical decision support system (CDSS)-based tool that recommends against the use of diltiazem in patients with an EF ≤ 40%. The objective of this study was to evaluate outcomes of adherence to the aforementioned CDSS-based tool. METHODS: This multi-hospital, retrospective study assessed patients who triggered the CDSS alert and compared those who did and did not discontinue diltiazem. The primary outcome was the occurrence of clinical deterioration. The primary endpoint was compared utilizing a Fisher's Exact Test, and a multivariate logistic regression model was developed to confirm the results of the primary analysis. RESULTS: A total of 246 patients were included in this study with 146 patients in the nonadherent group (received diltiazem) and 100 patients in the adherent group (did not receive diltiazem). There was a higher proportion of patients experiencing clinical deterioration in the alert nonadherence group (33% vs 21%, P = 0.044), including increased utilization of inotropes and vasopressors, and higher rate of transfer to ICU. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: In patients with heart failure with reduced EF, diltiazem use after nonadherence to a CDSS alert resulted in an increased risk of clinical deterioration. This study highlights the need for improved provider adherence to diltiazem clinical decision support systems.

Evaluation of Newly Integrated Bivalirudin Titration Protocol in Patients With Mechanical Circulatory Support.

BACKGROUND: Patients with cardiogenic shock or end-stage heart failure can be maintained on mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices. Once a patient undergoes placement of a device, obtaining and maintaining therapeutic anticoagulation is vital. Guidelines recommend the use of institutional protocols to assist in dosing and titration of anticoagulants. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to characterize the use of bivalirudin before and after the implementation of a standardized titration protocol in patients with MCS. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients who received bivalirudin for MCS (VA ECMO [veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation], Impella, or LVAD [left ventricular assist device]) before and after the implementation of the titration protocol into the electronic health record (EHR) was conducted. The primary outcome was to compare the proportion of therapeutic activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). Secondary outcomes included number of subtherapeutic and supratherapeutic aPTTs, incidence of bleeding and clotting events, bivalirudin titrations per day, and percentage of patients with therapeutic aPTT level. RESULTS: A total of 100 patients were included (precohort = 67; postcohort = 33). The proportion of therapeutic aPTTs was significantly higher in the postcohort than that in the precohort (62% vs 48%; P < 0.001). The postcohort had 0% of patients failing to achieve therapeutic aPTT levels. The number of titrations per day was significantly lower in the postcohort, with 1.20 titrations per day versus 1.93 in the precohort (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of the bivalirudin titration nomograms within the EHR significantly increased the number of therapeutic aPTTs, reduced the number of patients who never achieved a therapeutic aPTT, and reduced the required number of titrations per day.

Management Considerations for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Pharmacotherapy in the Intensive Care Unit.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a rare and progressive disease with significant morbidity and mortality risk. Several medications targeting three major disease pathways are approved for treatment. However, the management of pulmonary arterial hypertension pharmacotherapies in a patient admitted to an intensive care unit poses unique challenges. Factors such as intubation and altered mental status may prevent the continuation of home oral and/or inhaled therapy, and the progression of the disease may require escalation of therapy. This review will focus on practical management strategies for the continuation of home pulmonary arterial hypertension pharmacotherapy and escalation of therapy.

Impact of Anticipatory Batching of Pharmacy Compounded Sterile Products on Time to Nurse Administration.

BACKGROUND: Timely medication administration is integral to patient care, and operational delays can challenge timely administration. Within an inpatient pharmacy of an academic medical center, intravenous medications were historically compounded on a patient-specific basis. In 2020, the pharmacy began batching frequently-utilized medications. This analysis explored the impact of compounded sterile batching on pharmacy and nursing services. METHODS: This pre- and post-interventional study compared data from February through March 2020 with a seasonally matched period from 2019. The primary endpoint was difference in time to administration of urgent (STAT) medications. Secondary endpoints included timeframes for a pharmacy technician to prepare, a pharmacist to check, and a nurse to administer the medications, as well as reprinted labels and estimated waste. RESULTS: On average, it took one hour and 43 minutes to administer a STAT medication in 2019 and one hour and 57 minutes in 2020 (p = 0.122). It took about four hours to administer routine medications in 2019 and 2020 (p = 0.488). The number of labels reprinted decreased from 616 in 2019 to 549 in 2020 (p = 0.195), relating to decreased missing doses. The mean time to check and send a medication decreased from 2019 to 2020 for STAT orders (p < 0.001), and there was no difference in wasted medications looking at all orders in this time. CONCLUSION: Anticipatory batching decreased time to prepare, check, and send medications, though there was no effect on waste or on time to administration. Future studies can examine the correlation between pharmacy operations and medication administration.

Prolonged Intra-Sinus Alteplase Infusion in Severe Case of CVST.

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is an uncommon condition accounting for 0.5-1% of all strokes. It occurs more commonly in women, particularly in the age group of 20-40 years of age due to pregnancy and oral contraceptive use. Systemic anticoagulation is recommended as first line treatment but 10-20% of patients deteriorate despite medical treatment and require surgical or endovascular interventions. We summarize a 41-year-old female with a past medical history of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis who presented with headaches and worsening mental status. Further workup confirmed inferior sagittal sinus thrombus with intraventricular hemorrhage for which she was initiated on heparin continuous infusion. Due to worsening of clot burden and cerebral edema, a right frontal external ventricular drain was placed in addition to medical management of elevated ICP. Intravenous heparin infusion was stopped intermittently for such procedures. However, even when heparin was continued, sub-therapeutic and supra-therapeutic ranges were commonly observed, making anticoagulation management challenging. A new left-sided EVD had to be placed after increased IVH and worsening of hydrocephalus due to clotting. Due to patient's clinical worsening, a microcatheter was placed in the straight sinus and continuous alteplase via intra-sinus catheter was initiated at a rate of 1 mg/hour. This was continued for 72 hours in addition to the continuous heparin infusion. Additionally, she received intraventricular alteplase 1 mg x 3 doses for IVH. Unfortunately, she continued to deteriorate despite maximal medical therapy. She was made comfort care and expired.

Development, Implementation, and Outcomes of a Delirium Protocol in the Surgical Trauma Intensive Care Unit.

BACKGROUND: Delirium in the critically ill is associated with increased mortality, length of stay (LOS), and prolonged cognitive dysfunction. Existing guidelines provide no recommendation for use of combination nonpharmacological and pharmacological prevention protocols or use of antipsychotic medications for the prevention or treatment of delirium. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the impact of implementing a delirium treatment protocol on the number of delirium-free days experienced by acutely delirious patients in the surgical trauma intensive care unit (STICU). METHODS: This retrospective, institutional review board-approved, pre-implementation (PRE) versus post-implementation (POST) cohort evaluated delirious patients admitted to the STICU. Patients were evaluated based on the duration of delirium. Secondary end points included ICU LOS, amount of atypical and typical antipsychotic medication used, amount of analgesia and sedation used, and adverse drug events associated with antipsychotics. RESULTS: Of the 593 evaluated, 89 patients were included (38 PRE vs 51 POST). Implementation of a delirium protocol reduced the number of delirious days, 8.2 ± 5.7 days PRE versus 4.5 ± 4.4 days POST; P = 0.001. ICU LOS in surviving patients and use of concomitant medications, intravenous morphine equivalents, and propofol were significantly reduced in the POST group. CONCLUSION: The implementation of a delirium protocol with nonpharmacological and pharmacological interventions had an impact on STICU patients experiencing acute delirium by significantly increasing delirium-free days and reducing the ICU LOS, in addition to decreased administration of concomitant medications.