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Sadlonova M, Beach SR, Funk MC, Rosen JH, Ramirez Gamero AF, Karlson RA, Huffman JC, Celano CM. Risk Stratification of QTc Prolongation in Critically Ill Patients Receiving Antipsychotics for the Management of Delirium Symptoms. J Intensive Care Med 2023:8850666231222470. [PMID: 38130132 DOI: 10.1177/08850666231222470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients experiencing significant agitation or perceptual disturbances related to delirium in an intensive care setting may benefit from short-term treatment with an antipsychotic medication. Some antipsychotic medications may prolong the QTc interval, which increases the risk of potentially fatal ventricular arrhythmias. In this targeted review, we describe the evidence regarding the relationships between antipsychotic medications and QTc prolongation and practical methods for monitoring the QTc interval and mitigating arrhythmia risk. METHODS Searches of PubMed and Cochrane Library were performed to identify studies, published before February 2023, investigating the relationships between antipsychotic medications and QTc prolongation or arrhythmias. RESULTS Most antipsychotic medications commonly used for the management of delirium symptoms (eg, intravenous haloperidol, olanzapine, quetiapine) cause a moderate degree of QTc prolongation. Among other antipsychotics, those most likely to cause QTc prolongation are iloperidone and ziprasidone, while aripiprazole and lurasidone appear to have minimal risk for QTc prolongation. Genetic vulnerabilities, female sex, older age, pre-existing cardiovascular disease, electrolyte abnormalities, and non-psychiatric medications also increase the risk of QTc prolongation. For individuals at risk of QTc prolongation, it is essential to measure the QTc interval accurately and consistently and consider medication adjustments if needed. CONCLUSIONS Antipsychotic medications are one of many risk factors for QTc prolongation. When managing agitation related to delirium, it is imperative to assess an individual patient's risk for QTc prolongation and to choose a medication and monitoring strategy commensurate to the risks. In intensive care settings, we recommend regular ECG monitoring, using a linear regression formula to correct for heart rate. If substantial QTc prolongation (eg, QTc > 500 msec) is present, a change in pharmacologic treatment can be considered, though a particular medication may still be warranted if the risks of discontinuation (eg, extreme agitation, removal of invasive monitoring devices) outweigh the risks of arrhythmias. AIMS This review aims to summarize the current literature on relationships between antipsychotic medications and QTc prolongation and to make practical clinical recommendations towards the approach of antipsychotic medication use for the management of delirium-related agitation and perceptual disturbances in intensive care settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Sadlonova
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Göttingen Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, University of Göttingen Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Scott R Beach
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Margo C Funk
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jordan H Rosen
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andres F Ramirez Gamero
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rebecca A Karlson
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jeff C Huffman
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Christopher M Celano
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Muir-Cochrane E, Oster C, Grimmer K. International research into 22 years of use of chemical restraint: An evidence overview. J Eval Clin Pract 2020; 26:927-956. [PMID: 31318109 DOI: 10.1111/jep.13232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chemical restraint (CR) (also known as rapid tranquilisation) is the forced (non-consenting) administration of medications to manage uncontrolled aggression, anxiety, or violence in people who are likely to cause harm to themselves or others. Our population of interest was adults with mental health disorders (with/without substance abuse). There has been a growing international movement over the past 22 years towards reducing/eliminating restrictive practices such as CR. It is appropriate to summarise the research that has been published over this time, identify trends and gaps in knowledge, and highlight areas for new research to inform practice. AIMS To undertake a comprehensive systematic search to identify, and describe, the volume and nature of primary international research into CR published since 1995. METHODS This paper reports the processes and overall findings of a systematic search for all available primary research on CR published between 1 January 1996 and 31 July 2018. It describes the current evidence base by hierarchy of evidence, country (ies) producing the research, CR definitions, study purpose, and outcome measures. RESULTS This review identified 311 relevant primary studies (21 RCTs; 46 non-controlled experimental or prospective observational studies; 77 cross-sectional studies; 69 retrospective studies; 67 opinion pieces, position or policy statements; and 31 qualitative studies). The USA, UK, and Australia contributed over half the research, whilst cross-country collaborations comprised 6% of it. The most common research settings comprised acute psychiatric wards (23.3%), general psychiatric wards (21.6%), and general hospital emergency departments (19.0%). DISCUSSION A key lesson learnt whilst compiling this database of research into CR was to ensure that all papers described non-consenting administration of medications to manage adults with uncontrolled aggression, anxiety, or violence. There were tensions in the literature between using effective CR without producing adverse events, and how to decide when CR was needed (compared with choosing non-chemical intervention for behavioural emergencies), respecting patients' dignity whilst safeguarding their safety, and preserving safe workplaces for staff, and care environments for other patients. The range of outcome measures suggests opportunities to standardise future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eimear Muir-Cochrane
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, South Australia, Australia, 5042
| | - Candice Oster
- On-Line Education and Development, Flinders Human Behaviour and Health Research Unit (FHBHRU), College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, South Australia, Australia, 5042
| | - Karen Grimmer
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, South Australia, Australia, 5042.,Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
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Lorenzo MP, Burgess J, Darko W. Intravenous Olanzapine in a Critically Ill Patient: An Evolving Route of Administration. Hosp Pharm 2019; 55:108-111. [PMID: 32214444 DOI: 10.1177/0018578718823484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of the article is to describe the successful use of parenteral olanzapine intravenously (IV) in a critically ill patient with severe agitated delirium. Summary: A 70-year-old man was admitted to the medical intensive care unit requiring plasmapheresis with platelet counts consistently below 20 000/µL secondary to thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). The patient had experienced agitated delirium requiring treatment, which was complicated by electrocardiogram (EKG) findings of a prolonged QTc interval. The antipsychotics the patient was receiving were believed to be responsible and, as such, the team desired an option that would have a lesser chance of worsening QTc (baseline-corrected QT) interval. Olanzapine was chosen and given IV versus the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved parenteral route of intramuscular (IM) due to concern of bleeding. The patient's delirious state responded to treatment to varying degrees and showed no increase in EKG abnormalities. To our knowledge, there is a paucity of published literature regarding this route of administration. Conclusion: Intramuscular olanzapine used IV may be a safe and effective option for the treatment of acutely agitated, delirious, critically ill patient.
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Midazolam-Droperidol, Droperidol, or Olanzapine for Acute Agitation: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Ann Emerg Med 2017; 69:318-326.e1. [DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2016.07.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2016] [Revised: 07/25/2016] [Accepted: 07/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Martel ML, Klein LR, Rivard RL, Cole JB. A Large Retrospective Cohort of Patients Receiving Intravenous Olanzapine in the Emergency Department. Acad Emerg Med 2016; 23:29-35. [PMID: 26720055 DOI: 10.1111/acem.12842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2015] [Revised: 06/30/2015] [Accepted: 07/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Olanzapine is an atypical antipsychotic with similar pharmacologic properties to droperidol. Due to the current droperidol shortage, the authors' clinical practice has been to substitute olanzapine for droperidol in many situations. At this time, olanzapine is U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved for oral and intramuscular (IM) use only, but due to its increased utility, intravenous (IV) olanzapine was recently approved for use in the study emergency department (ED). OBJECTIVES The authors sought to review the use and safety of IV olanzapine in the ED patient population. METHODS A retrospective review of consecutive patients receiving IV olanzapine between January 1, 2014, and July 1, 2014, was conducted. Data were collected via an electronic medical record review. The study was deemed exempt from informed consent by our institutional review board. RESULTS A total of 713 patients received IV olanzapine during the study period. The median age was 38 years (range = 18 to 85 years), and 313 patients were male (43.9%). Primary indications for IV olanzapine administration included acute agitation (n = 245, 34.4%), abdominal pain (n = 165, 23.1%), headache (n = 121, 17.0%), nausea and vomiting (n = 107, 15.0%), pain (other; n = 60, 8.4%), and unknown (n = 15, 2.1%). IV dosing varied: 1.25 mg (n = 20, 2.8%), 2.5 mg (n = 185, 25.9%), 5 mg (n = 507, 71.1%), and 10 mg (n = 1, 0.1%). Forty-nine patients required a second dose of olanzapine (22 IV, 26 IM, one oral). The maximum total dose of olanzapine was 20 mg. Ninety-eight patients required a total of 146 doses of additional sedatives during their ED course. Other sedative medications included ketamine (n = 17, 2.4%), haloperidol (n = 48, 6.7%), and benzodiazepines (n = 81, 11.4%). Hypoxia was noted in 74 patients (10.4%). Major respiratory complications, including airway stimulation or repositioning maneuvers and intubation, occurred in 15 patients (2.1%). After consensus review, one intubation was classified as "likely related" to olanzapine administration, and two were classified as "possibly related" to olanzapine. Akathisia likely occurred in four patients (0.6%), and no allergic reactions were identified. Electrocardiograms (ECGs) were performed in 322 patients. A total of 251 patients had an ECG performed before olanzapine administration (median QTc = 404 ms), and 88 patients had an ECG performed after olanzapine administration (median QTc = 415 ms). Acute alcohol and drug intoxication was common, 118 (16.5%) patients were positive for ethanol, and seven of 23 drug screens were positive for sympathomimetics. Thirty-four of 284 admissions (4.5%) were to intermediate or intensive care unit beds. No patients died while in the ED and no cases of sudden cardiac death were noted. CONCLUSIONS In this large retrospective review, IV olanzapine appears to be a safe in the management of a variety of ED indications. Hypoxia was common, but serious airway compromise was rare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc L. Martel
- Department of Emergency Medicine; Hennepin County Medical Center; Minneapolis MN
| | - Lauren R. Klein
- Department of Emergency Medicine; Hennepin County Medical Center; Minneapolis MN
| | - Robert L. Rivard
- Department of Emergency Medicine; Hennepin County Medical Center; Minneapolis MN
| | - Jon B. Cole
- Department of Emergency Medicine; Hennepin County Medical Center; Minneapolis MN
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Chan EW, Knott JC, Taylor DM, Kong DCM. Intravenous Olanzapine for Acute Agitation in the Emergency Department. JOURNAL OF PHARMACY PRACTICE AND RESEARCH 2015. [DOI: 10.1002/j.2055-2335.2011.tb00681.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Esther W Chan
- Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences; Monash University, and Department of Emergency Medicine, Austin Health
| | | | | | - David CM Kong
- Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences; Monash University; Parkville Victoria
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Chan EW, Taylor DM, Knott JC, Phillips GA, Castle DJ, Kong DC. Intravenous Droperidol or Olanzapine as an Adjunct to Midazolam for the Acutely Agitated Patient: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Ann Emerg Med 2013; 61:72-81. [DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2012.07.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2012] [Revised: 07/19/2012] [Accepted: 07/24/2012] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Chan EW, Taylor DM, Knott JC, Kong DCM. Variation in the management of hypothetical cases of acute agitation in Australasian emergency departments. Emerg Med Australas 2010; 23:23-32. [PMID: 21091874 DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-6723.2010.01348.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe the prescribing practice of emergency medicine clinicians in the management of highly agitated patients and to identify perceived barriers to management and the gaps in training. METHOD We undertook an anonymous cross-sectional mail survey of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM) members (fellows and advanced trainees) between June and September 2009. A questionnaire including a case vignette of a hypothetical patient and three clinical scenarios was employed to ascertain prescribing practice and assess perceived barriers to management, confidence and the perceived usefulness of existing and future Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs). RESULTS All 2052 ACEM members were surveyed. However, seven had incorrect postal addresses and could not be reached. Of the remaining 2045, 786/2052 (38.3%, 95% CI 36.2-40.5) responses were received. Of the 786 respondents, 783 were practicing clinicians. If monotherapy was chosen, 622/783 (79.4%, 95% CI 76.4-82.2) of respondents preferred midazolam to manage the common scenario where no history was available, followed by haloperidol 45/783 (5.8%, 95% CI 4.3-7.7) and olanzapine 38/783 (4.9%, 95% CI 3.5-6.7). Most respondents 500/783 (63.9%, 95% CI 60.4-67.2) would also administer another sedative (combination therapy). Important perceived barriers to agitation management included lack of both training (352/783 [45.0%, 95% CI 41.4-48.5]) and a national CPG (313/783 [40.0%, 95% CI 36.5-43.5]). Respondents were generally confident in all aspects of management, although relatively fewer trainees were confident in determining dosing. Institutional CPGs were considered most useful for 415/783 (53.0%, 95% CI 49.4-56.5) respondents. If an ACEM-endorsed CPG were to be developed in the future, 634/783 (81.0%, 95% CI 78.0-83.6) respondents would consider this useful. CONCLUSION There is considerable variation in the management of hypothetical cases of acute agitation in Australasian EDs. Benzodiazepines and antipsychotics, either alone or in combination, are commonly used. An ACEM-endorsed, Australasian CPG was perceived as useful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther W Chan
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
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