Catheter-related complications in long-term home parenteral nutrition patients with chronic intestinal failure

Effectiveness of salvage catheters in home parenteral nutrition: A single-center study and systematic literature review

BACKGROUND & AIMS

There are sparse data regarding the rate of catheter salvage and long-term effectiveness of antibiotic lock treatment outcome after central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI). Objectives were to analyze the effectiveness of central venous catheter (CVC) rescue strategy and its impact on catheter lifespan. Secondary objective included effectiveness of taurolidine+4% citrate in primary prevention, compared to a secondary prevention strategy, by analyzing infection incidence during two successive periods.

METHOD

Real-life 5-year observational study assessing CLABSI occurrence and CVC salvage outcomes in adult patients requiring Home Parenteral Nutrition (HPN) managed in a single-center Intestinal Failure Unit.

RESULTS

Over the 5-year period, there were 106 confirmed infections (63/143 patients (44%)). Infection incidence was 0.92/1000 catheter-days. Incidence was 1.02/1000 catheter-days during the taurolidine+4% citrate period while lower at 0.84/1000 catheter-days (p = 0.034) during the systematic taurolidine lock period. Of the total number of infections, 89 CVCs were immediately removed and 17 were salvaged. The success rate of catheter salvage with antibiotic lock was 82.4%, with 53% remaining CLABSI-free at one year. The salvage strategy extended catheter lifespan by a median 165 days (IQR 50-214). However, the rate of new infection was significantly higher in instances of salvage (71.4%) vs. removal (36%). Parenteral Nutrition (PN) ≥12 months (p = 0.002), PN (vs. hydroelectrolytic support) (p = 0.028) and self-management by patients (p = 0.049) were independent risk factors of CLABSI.

CONCLUSION

Catheter salvage appears to be an effective long-term strategy with >50% of CVCs remaining CLABSI-free at one year and a prolonged catheter life, although may expose to a more frequent and earlier infection recurrence.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

Cohort approved by the French CNIL (National Committee for Data Protection, authorization number CNIL 2015-25). referred to as "observational research", "non-interventional", or « non-RIPH ».

Peripheral Venous Catheter-related Bloodstream Infections in Hospitalized Children: The Role of Gram-negative Bacteria

BACKGROUND

Peripheral venous catheter (PVC) is the most used vascular access device in medicine, allowing administration of intravenous fluids and medications. Known complications associated with PVC include extravasation, phlebitis and rarely bloodstream infection (BSI). Data regarding PVC-related BSI in children are lacking. Our aim was to evaluate the epidemiology, clinical and microbiologic characteristics of pediatric inpatients with PVC-related BSI.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted in a pediatric tertiary care center. Children with BSI, admitted to general pediatric departments during 2010-2019, were identified and their medical records examined. Patients with BSI and phlebitis were further characterized and included in the analysis. We excluded patients with central venous catheters, other identified source of infection and with BSI upon admission. Data collected included patients' demographics and clinical and microbiologic characteristics.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven children with PVC-related BSI were identified and included in the study, consisting of 0.2% of the total BSI cases. Patient's median age was 24 (range, 1.5-213) months, 14/27 (52%) were female and 6 (22%) were previously healthy while 21 (78%) had prior medical conditions. Sixteen (59.3%) patients had Gram-negative BSI and 6 (22.2%) Gram-positive bacteria. Polymicrobial infection occurred in 4 (14.8%) patients and Candida albicans in 1 (3.7%) patient. The most common isolated bacteria were Klebsiella spp and Staphylococcus aureus. Longer dwell-time was a predictor of Gram-negative bacteria.

CONCLUSIONS

PVC-related BSI due to Gram-negative bacteria was more common than to Gram-positive bacteria. Clinicians should consider an initial broad-spectrum antibiotic coverage for PVC-related BSI in hospitalized pediatric patients.

Intestinal iatrogenic hyperadaptation in patients with short bowel syndrome and Crohn's disease: Is this an indication for mandatory lifelong injections of teduglutide?

Short bowel syndrome with chronic intestinal failure (SBS-CIF) is a rare disease leading to a markedly decreased absorption of fluids and nutrients. Intestinal adaptation in patients with SBS-CIF who are treated with home parenteral nutrition is a natural repair process activated by increased secretions of glucagon-like peptide-2, inducing intestinal trophism, nutrient transport, and lowering gastrointestinal motility. Teduglutide (TED), a glucagon-like peptide-2 analog, offers a new, effective therapeutic alternative to boost intestinal adaptation. There is still no consensus regarding the question of whether intestinal adaptation is permanent or a transient, drug-dependent process requiring lifelong injections of TED. Here we report the clinical cases of two female patients with SBS-CIF secondary to Crohn's disease, who had received TED for 36 and 41 mo. In both patients, TED was discontinued for 5 d but needed to be resumed after an additional 5 d. In patient 1, the discontinuation of TED was accidental (the patient inadvertently injected frozen TED vials); whereas in patient 2, the suspension was at the patient's request. A rapid, significant (P < 0.0001) decline of intestinal function (diarrheal evacuations, fecal volume, food intake) was documented after the suspension of active TED in patient 1. After the resumption of active TED, the symptoms rapidly and significantly (P < 0.0001) improved. The same trend was observed in patient 2. Infective causes of diarrhea were ruled out in both patients. In conclusion, our experience shows that even after long-term treatment, the iatrogenic hyperadaptation process obtained with TED results is a temporary, drug-dependent process and vanishes with the suspension of therapy. These clinical cases suggest that in patients with SBS-CIF receiving TED, this treatment must be administered lifelong.

New insights into intestinal failure-associated liver disease in adults: A comprehensive review of the literature

Intestinal failure-associated liver disease (IFALD) remains one of the most common and serious complications of parenteral nutrition (PN), causing a wide spectrum of hepatic manifestations from steatosis and mild cholestasis to portal hypertension and end-stage liver failure. The prevalence of IFALD depends on the diagnostic criteria and ranges from 4.3% to 65%. Moreover, many factors are shown to contribute to its development, including nutrient deficiencies, toxicity of PN, infections, and alterations of bile acid metabolism and gut microbiota. Prevention and management of IFALD aim at ameliorating or eliminating the risk factors associated with IFALD. The use of PN formulations with a lower ratio omega-6-to-omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, cycle PN, optimization of enteral stimulation and prevention and early treatment of infections constitute the main therapeutic targets. However, failure of improvement and severe IFALD with end-stage liver failure should be considered as the indications of intestinal transplantation. The aim of this review is to provide an update of the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and diagnosis of IFALD in the adult population as well as to present a clinical approach of the therapeutic strategies of IFALD and present novel therapeutic targets.

Epidemiology of Infectious and Noninfectious Catheter Complications in Patients Receiving Home Parenteral Nutrition: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Patients receiving parenteral nutrition (PN) as their primary source of nutrition are at high risk for both infectious and noninfectious catheter complications (catheter-related infections, catheter occlusion, and venous thrombosis). The aim of this review was to synthesize and evaluate what is known about catheter complications and prevention strategies in the PN population. Three electronic databases (Medline, Embase, and CINAHL) were screened for studies published between January 2012 and February 2019 regarding infectious and noninfectious catheter complications in patients receiving PN. Rates of infectious and noninfectious catheter complications, prevalence of causative pathogens, potential risk factors, and prevention strategies via the use of antimicrobial lock therapy (ALT) were assessed. Fifty-three catheter complication studies and 12 ALT studies were included. Studies were grouped by definition of complication: catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) or central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI). Random effects summary rates per 1000 catheter days were 0.85 CRBSI episodes (95% CI 0.27-2.64) and 1.65 CLABSI episodes (95% CI 1.09-2.48). Use of taurolidine or ethanol ALT was efficacious in reducing infectious catheter complications; however, several studies had concerns for adverse mechanical complications. Potential risk factors for catheter complications were highly varied and often contradictory between studies. The rates of catheter complications were higher among catheterized patients receiving PN compared with nationally reported rates of complications in all catheterized patients. Risk factors for catheter complications need to be better understood for targeted prophylactic use of ALT. Future studies are warranted; however, they should be conducted using more standardized definitions and criteria.

Non-interventional, retrospective data of long-term home parenteral nutrition in patients with benign diseases: Analysis of a nurse register (SERECARE)

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of home parenteral nutrition (HPN) service in patients with benign chronic intestinal failure (CIF).

METHODS

This was a 10-y retrospective, non-interventional, multicenter study conducted with adult and pediatric patients with CIF who received HPN service. We analyzed data prospectively collected from a dedicated register by HPN nurses.

RESULTS

From January 2002 to December 2011 a total of 794 patients (49.7% male, median age 1 y for children and 57 y for adults) were included in the analysis. Over the 10-y period, 723 central venous catheter (CVC) complications occurred, of which 394 were infectious (54.5%), 297 were mechanical (41.1%), and 32 (3.3%) were defined as CVC-related thrombosis. The complication rate was higher in children (1.11 per patient) than in adults (0.70 per patient). During the observation period, the rates of both infectious and mechanical complications showed a global declining trend and ∼75% of patients had neither infectious nor mechanical CVC complications. HPN efficacy was evaluated in 301 patients with a minimum follow-up of 36 mo. Body mass index and Karnofsky score showed that the median growth significantly increased (P < 0.001) over baseline for adults and pediatric patients in the 0 to 2 age range.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of a structured register has proved to be a key strategy for monitoring the outcomes of long-term treatment, improving time efficiency, and preventing potential malpractice. To our knowledge, this is the largest survey ever documented; the results were consistent despite the heterogeneity of the centers because of duly applied standard rules and protocols.

American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Guidelines for the Selection and Care of Central Venous Access Devices for Adult Home Parenteral Nutrition Administration

This document represents the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) clinical guidelines to describe best practices in the selection and care of central venous access devices (CVADs) for the infusion of home parenteral nutrition (HPN) admixtures in adult patients. The guidelines targeted adults >18 years of age in which the intervention or exposure had to include HPN that was administered via a CVAD. Case studies, non-English studies, or studies of CVAD no longer available in the United States were excluded. In total, 564 abstract citations, 350 from Medline and 214 from PubMed/non-MEDLINE databases, were scanned for relevance. Of the 564 citations, 13 studies addressed at least 1 of the 6 guideline-related questions, and none of the studies were prospective and randomized. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) criteria were used to adjust the evidence grade based on assessment of the quality of study design and execution. Recommendations for the CVAD type, composition, or number of lumens to minimize infectious or mechanical complications are based on a limited number of studies and expert opinion of the authors, all very experienced in home infusion therapy. No studies were found that compared best solutions for routine flushing of lumens (eg, heparin versus saline) or for maintaining catheters in situ while treating CVAD mechanical or infectious complications. It is clear that studies to answer these questions are very limited, and further research is needed. These clinical guidelines were approved by the ASPEN Board of Directors.

Rate of Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections Between Tunneled Central Venous Catheters Versus Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters in Adult Home Parenteral Nutrition: A Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Tunneled central venous catheters (TCVCs) and peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) are often used for the provision of home parenteral nutrition (HPN). There is no formal comparison being made to study the rate of catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) between TCVCs and PICC in HPN to recommend the use of 1 over the other.

METHODS

An online MEDLINE, PubMed, and Scopus search was conducted. Studies reporting the rate of CRBSI in HPN patients were included. DerSimonian and Laird random effects meta-analyses were used to analyze comparative studies, whereas Begg and Pilote's random effects meta-analysis was used to pool and analyze single-arm studies.

RESULTS

Seventeen studies (12 single-arm studies and 5 comparative studies) were included for analysis. Meta-analysis of comparative studies showed that PICC use was associated with a significantly lower rate of CRBSI (relative risk (RR) 0.40, 95% CI 0.19-0.83), whereas meta-analysis of single-arm studies revealed that the relative risk for CRBSI was not statistically significantly different from unity.

CONCLUSION

TCVC is more commonly used in long-term HPN. Our analysis of comparative studies showed a lower rate of CRBSI in HPN patients using PICC compared with TCVC; however, analysis of single-arm studies showed that the rate of CRBSI was comparable in PICC and TCVC use. The decision to which type of catheter is most suited for HPN patients should hence be based on the duration of treatment, level of care, patients' dexterity, as well patients' underlying comorbidities that may potentially contribute to other catheter-related complications.

Outcome of Pediatric Gastroenterology Outpatients With Fever and Central Line

OBJECTIVE

Although management algorithms for fever and central venous catheters (CVCs) have been implemented for pediatric oncology (PO) patients, management of pediatric outpatients with noncancer diagnoses and CVCs lacks clear protocols. The aim of the study was to assess outcomes for pediatric outpatients with gastrointestinal disorders presenting with fever and CVC.

METHODS

Using a microbiology database and emergency department records, we created a database of pediatric gastroenterology (PGI) and PO outpatients with fever and a CVC who presented to our emergency department or clinics from January 2010 through December 2012. We excluded patients who had severe neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count, <500/mm). We performed chart reviews to assess demographic and clinical characteristics.

RESULTS

A total of 334 episodes in 144 patients were evaluated. Fifty-three percent (95% confidence interval, 38%-68%) of PGI patients had a bloodstream infection, whereas only 9% (95% confidence interval, 5%-14%) of PO patients had a bloodstream infection (P < 0.001). Among patients with a bloodstream infection, the PGI patients were more likely than the PO patients to have polymicrobial infections (46% vs 15%), gram-negative infections (57% vs 27%), and/or infection with enteric organisms (61% vs 23%). The PGI patients had higher rates of CVC removal (19% vs 4%) but no statistical difference in intensive care unit needs (11% vs 4%).

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric gastroenterology outpatients with fever and a CVC have a high prevalence of bloodstream infection. Algorithms for management need to be subspecialty specific. Pediatric gastroenterology patients presenting to emergency departments or clinics with fever and CVC require admission for monitoring and management.

The addition of medium-chain triglycerides to a purified fish oil-based diet alters inflammatory profiles in mice

OBJECTIVE

Parenteral nutrition associated liver disease (PNALD) is a deadly complication of long term parenteral nutrition (PN) use in infants. Fish oil-based lipid emulsion has been shown in recent years to effectively treat PNALD. Alternative fat sources free of essential fatty acids have recently been investigated for health benefits related to decreased inflammatory response. We hypothesized that the addition of medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) to a purified fish oil-based diet would decrease the response to inflammatory challenge in mice, while allowing for sufficient growth and development.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Six groups of ten adult male C57/Bl6 mice were pair-fed different dietary treatments for a period of twelve weeks, varying only in fat source (percent calories by weight): 10.84% soybean oil (SOY), 10% coconut oil (HCO), 10% medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), 3% purified fish oil (PFO), 3% purified fish oil with 3% medium-chain triglycerides (50:50 MCT:PFO) and 3% purified fish oil with 7.59% medium-chain triglycerides (70:30 MCT:PFO). An endotoxin challenge was administered to half of the animals in each group at the completion of dietary treatment.

RESULTS

All groups demonstrated normal growth throughout the study period. Groups fed MCT and HCO diets demonstrated biochemical essential fatty acid deficiency and decreased IL-6 and TNF-α response to endotoxin challenge. Groups containing PFO had increased inflammatory response to endotoxin challenge, and the addition of MCT to PFO mitigated this inflammatory response.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that the addition of MCT to PFO formulations may decrease the host response to inflammatory challenge, which may pose potential for optimized PN formulations. Inclusion of MCT in lipid emulsions given with PN formulations may be of use in therapeutic interventions for disease states resulting from chronic inflammation.