Life-threatening pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular failure complicating calcium and phosphate replacement in the intensive care unit

Physical and Chemical Compatibility of Medications Commonly Used in Critically Ill Patients With Balanced Crystalloids: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate available evidence of physical and/or chemical compatibility of commonly used medications in critically ill patients with balanced crystalloids.

DATA SOURCES

Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were queried from inception to September 2022.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION

This review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. English-language studies reporting physical and/or chemical compatibility data between 50 selected medications and balanced crystalloids were included. A previously designed tool to assess risk of bias was adapted for use.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Twenty-nine studies encompassing 39 (78%) medications and 188 unique combinations with balanced crystalloids were included. Combinations included 35 (70%) medications with lactated Ringer's, 26 (52%) medications with Plasma-Lyte, 10 (20%) medications with Normosol, and one (2%) medication with Isolyte. Studies commonly evaluated physical and chemical compatibility (55.2%). More medications were evaluated via Y-site than admixture. Incompatibilities were identified in 18% of combinations comprising 13 individual drugs.

RELEVANCE TO PATIENT CARE AND CLINICAL PRACTICE

This systematic review evaluates the compatibility of select critical care medications with balanced crystalloid solutions. Results may be used as a tool to guide clinicians on balanced crystalloid compatibility, potentially increasing ubiquitous use and reducing patient exposure to normal saline.

CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE

Data are limited regarding chemical/physical compatibility of commonly used medications in critically ill patients with balanced crystalloids. Additional compatibility studies are warranted, particularly methodologically rigorous studies assessing Plasma-Lyte, Normosol, and Isolyte. Of the evaluated medications, there was a low frequency of incompatibilities with balanced crystalloids.

WoCoVA consensus on the clinical use of in-line filtration during intravenous infusions: Current evidence and recommendations for future research

The need for filtering intravenous infusions has long been recognized in the field of venous access, though hard scientific evidence about the actual indications for in-line filters has been scarce. In the last few years, several papers and a few clinical studies have raised again this issue, suggesting that the time has come for a proper definition of the type of filtration, of its potential benefit, and of its proper indications in clinical practice. The WoCoVA Foundation, whose goal is to increase the global awareness on the risk of intravenous access and on patients' safety, developed the project of a consensus on intravenous filtration. A panel of experts in different aspects of intravenous infusion was chosen to express the current state of knowledge about filtration and to indicate the direction of future research in this field. The present document reports the final conclusions of the panel.

Co-administration of multiple intravenous medicines: Intensive care nurses' views and perspectives

BACKGROUND

Co-administration of multiple intravenous (IV) medicines down the same lumen of an IV catheter is often necessary in the intensive care unit (ICU) while ensuring medicine compatibility.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

This study explores ICU nurses' views on the everyday practice surrounding co-administration of multiple IV medicines down the same lumen.

DESIGN

Qualitative study using focus group interviews.

METHODS

Three focus groups were conducted with 20 ICU nurses across two hospitals in the Thames Valley Critical Care Network, England. Participants' experience of co-administration down the same lumen and means of assessing compatibility were explored. All focus groups were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using thematic analysis. Functional Resonance Analysis Method was used to provide a visual representation of the co-administration process.

RESULTS

Two key themes were identified as essential during the process of co-administration, namely, venous access and resources. Most nurses described insufficient venous access and lack of compatibility data for commonly used medicines (eg, analgesics and antibiotics) as particular challenges. Strategies such as obtaining additional venous access, prioritizing infusions, and swapping line of infusion were used to manage IV administration problems where medicines were incompatible, or of unknown or variable compatibility.

CONCLUSIONS

Nurses use several workarounds to manage commonly encountered medication compatibility problems that may lead to delays in therapy. Organizations should review and tailor compatibility resources towards commonly administered medicines using an interdisciplinary approach. Developing a clinical decision-making pathway to minimise variability while promoting safe co-administration practice should be prioritised.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

This study highlights several ways ICU nurses are able to manage challenges associated with co-administration and the need for the development of a more robust and comprehensive compatibility resource that is relevant to everyday practice through collaboration between nurses and pharmacists.

Clinical implications of intravenous drug incompatibilities in critically ill patients

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this review is to analyse the clinical consequences of intravenous drug incompatibilities in critically ill patients, especially the incidence of organ dysfunctions and mortality.

METHODS

A review of literature was conducted according to the PRISMA statement in June 2017, using Medline, ISI Web of Science and Clinicaltrials.gov.

DATA EXTRACTION

Eligible studies were case reports and randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed the effects of drug incompatibilities in critically ill patients on morbidity or mortality as primary or secondary outcomes, or adverse events. Two investigators independently reviewed the eligibility of the study from abstracts or manuscript data.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Twelve articles met the selection criteria. The six articles reporting RCTs concern only four RCTs. RCTs were single-centre studies comparing infusion with or without filter. One of them included adult patients. The others included paediatric and neonatal intensive care unit patients. Primary endpoints were SIRS, organ failure, overall complication rate, bacteraemia, sepsis, phlebitis and length of stay. The results are mixed with one RCT reporting a reduction in SIRS, organ failure and overall complication rate, two studies in disagreement over the occurrence of sepsis and one study reporting no impact on length of hospital stay. The six articles on case reports show different drug incompatibility situations. They report pulmonary toxicity.

CONCLUSION

Little data is available on this topic. Infused particles may induce organ failure, in particular pulmonary toxicity and SIRS. Further studies are needed to establish a link between the level of exposure to drug incompatibilities and clinical implication.

Anaphylactic shock during cement implantation of a total hip arthroplasty in a patient with underlying mastocytosis: case report of a rare intraoperative complication

BACKGROUND

Cemented total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a safe and common procedure. In rare cases life threatening bone cement implantation syndrome (BCIS) may occur, which is commonly caused by pulmonary embolism (PE).

CASE PRESENTATION

We describe the rare case of a 70-year old patient who underwent an elective total hip replacement. Before surgery he was diagnosed with underlying systemic indolent mastocytosis, a rare pathological disorder that may result in anaphylaxis after massive systemic mast cell activation. Triggers may be IgE-mediated, direct mast cell activation, or unclear. Some patients may be at risk for severe non IgE-mediated reactions, such as those experienced with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or with perioperative muscle relaxants. During cementing of the acetabular component, our patient developed acute hypotension (blood pressure dropped from 90/50 to 60/40 mmHg, and saturation dropped from 95 to 80 %). The differential diagnosis of acute PE was excluded (no signs of breathing abnormalities during physical examination, normal arterial blood sample, and no electrocardiography or cardiac ultrasound abnormalities). The patient was diagnosed with acute anaphylactic shock, which was successfully managed by 100 % oxygen administration, rapid fluid induction, and vasoconstrictive drug therapy. He recovered hemodynamically within 15 min, did not lose consciousness, and did not develop angioedema or an urticarial rash. Forty-five minutes after onset of the symptoms, the surgical procedure was completed after inserting a press fitted uncemented femoral stem component. The patient was transported to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for optimal monitoring. Our patient had an uneventful recovery. Within six hours after surgery he started to ambulate following our standard fast-track rehabilitation regime. Post-operative day one he was discharged to the specialized Orthopedic Department, and after five hospital days discharged to his home. Twelve months after THA surgery our patient was satisfied with an optimal functional status of his hip joint replacement.

CONCLUSION

The differential diagnosis of anaphylactic shock must be taken into consideration in patients with acute hypotension during cementing of total hip arthroplasty components. Patients with underlying mastocytosis are at particular risk of this potential life-threatening intra-operative complication. This rare entity should be taken into consideration during the pre-operative risk stratification and shared decision-making process for elective cemented joint replacement.

Pulmonary vascular and right ventricular dysfunction in adult critical care: current and emerging options for management: a systematic literature review

INTRODUCTION

Pulmonary vascular dysfunction, pulmonary hypertension (PH), and resulting right ventricular (RV) failure occur in many critical illnesses and may be associated with a worse prognosis. PH and RV failure may be difficult to manage: principles include maintenance of appropriate RV preload, augmentation of RV function, and reduction of RV afterload by lowering pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). We therefore provide a detailed update on the management of PH and RV failure in adult critical care.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed, based on a search of the literature from 1980 to 2010, by using prespecified search terms. Relevant studies were subjected to analysis based on the GRADE method.

RESULTS

Clinical studies of intensive care management of pulmonary vascular dysfunction were identified, describing volume therapy, vasopressors, sympathetic inotropes, inodilators, levosimendan, pulmonary vasodilators, and mechanical devices. The following GRADE recommendations (evidence level) are made in patients with pulmonary vascular dysfunction: 1) A weak recommendation (very-low-quality evidence) is made that close monitoring of the RV is advised as volume loading may worsen RV performance; 2) A weak recommendation (low-quality evidence) is made that low-dose norepinephrine is an effective pressor in these patients; and that 3) low-dose vasopressin may be useful to manage patients with resistant vasodilatory shock. 4) A weak recommendation (low-moderate quality evidence) is made that low-dose dobutamine improves RV function in pulmonary vascular dysfunction. 5) A strong recommendation (moderate-quality evidence) is made that phosphodiesterase type III inhibitors reduce PVR and improve RV function, although hypotension is frequent. 6) A weak recommendation (low-quality evidence) is made that levosimendan may be useful for short-term improvements in RV performance. 7) A strong recommendation (moderate-quality evidence) is made that pulmonary vasodilators reduce PVR and improve RV function, notably in pulmonary vascular dysfunction after cardiac surgery, and that the side-effect profile is reduced by using inhaled rather than systemic agents. 8) A weak recommendation (very-low-quality evidence) is made that mechanical therapies may be useful rescue therapies in some settings of pulmonary vascular dysfunction awaiting definitive therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review highlights that although some recommendations can be made to guide the critical care management of pulmonary vascular and right ventricular dysfunction, within the limitations of this review and the GRADE methodology, the quality of the evidence base is generally low, and further high-quality research is needed.

Electrolyte disturbances in the intensive care unit

The development of many electrolyte disturbances in the ICU can be prevented by attention to the use of intravenous fluids and nutrition. Hyponatremia is a relative contraindication to the use of hypotonic intravenous fluids and hypernatremia calls for the administration of water. Formulae have been devised to guide the therapy of severe hyponatremia and hypernatremia. All formulae regard the patient as a closed system, and none takes into account ongoing fluid losses that are highly variable between patients. Thus, therapy of severe hyponatremia and hypernatremia must be closely monitored with serial electrolyte measurements. The significance of hypocalcemia in the critically ill is controversial. Hypokalemia, hypophosphatemia, and hypomagnesemia should be corrected.