Clinical outcomes of 203 adult patients receiving highly (H) and moderately (M) emetogenic (E) chemotherapy (C) following an institutional antiemetic guideline update incorporating aprepitant (A) and palonosetron (P)

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Background: A quality improvement project targeted at chemotherapy induced nausea (N) and vomiting (V) was initiated in 2004. The project included an antiemetic guideline update consisting of replacing ASCO 1998 3 tier guidelines with a 4 tier system similar to ASCO 2006. Following implementation of the guidelines an evaluation phase began. Methods: Adult chemotherapy-naïve patients receiving HEC or MEC were asked to participate. HEC patients received P 250 mcg IV each day of chemotherapy, A 125 mg PO day 1 and 80 mg PO days 2 and 3 and dexamethasone (D) 12 mg PO days 1, 2 and 3. MEC patients received P 250 mcg IV and D 12 mg PO on the day of C. Participating patients were asked to complete a 7 question NV tool at least 5 days following C to report on the 5 days following C. Outcomes reported include % of patients without N, % without V and N score using a 0–10 visual analog scale (VAS). Patient satisfaction with the the control of N and V was also assessed using a 0–10 VAS. Results: A total of 151 patients received HEC and 89% and 44% were protected from V and N respectively. A total of 52 patients received MEC and 90% and 56% were protected from V and N respectively The median N score for all patients who reported nausea was 3. The median and mean score for satisfaction with N and V control was 10 and 8.7 respectively. Patient outcomes for the most commonly used C regimens are reported in the table below. Conclusion: Implementation of revised AEG provided patients receiving HEC and MEC a high level of protection from vomiting, low nausea scores and a high level of overall satisfaction with prevention of N and V. Although N scores were low, the incidence of N reported offers an opportunity for further improvement.

[Table: see text]

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Bevacizumab 5mg/kg can be safely infused over 10 minutes

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Background: Bevacizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets VEGF. Due to concerns for potential infusion- related hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs), initial phase I trials used an initial 90, 60, 30 minute infusion sequence. We sought to determine if the initial prolonged infusion was still necessary and in addition, if, on the basis of available clinical experience, an infusion time of less than 30 minutes could be safely used. Methods: We used computerized pharmacy records to identify all patients who received bevacizumab at our institution in the first two years of commercial availability (2/1/04- 6/30/06). Our institutional adverse drug reaction reporting program was utilized to identify any infusion reactions possibly related to bevacizumab and patient medical records were reviewed for confirmation Results: A total of 1,077 patients were treated with 10,606 doses of bevacizumab, and 765 of these patients received a 5 mg/kg dose (total of 8,494 doses). No HSRs occurred with the 90, 60, 30 minute infusion sequence in the first 202 patients. The standard infusion rate was then modified to 30 minutes for all bevacizumab doses. No HSRs were encountered. The infusion was again modified to a rate of 0.5 mg/kg/min. Of the 370 patients who received a total of 2,311 doses of bevacizumab at 5 mg/kg over 10 minutes, six (1.6 %) experienced events of minor clinical consequence that were felt to be possibly consistent with non-serious HSRs Conclusions: 90 and 60 minute initial infusion times are unnecessary. Use of a standard infusion rate of 0.5 mg/kg/min is safe, logical, justifiable, and is the current policy at our institution.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Safe and cost effective use of alteplase for the clearance of occluded central venous access devices

PURPOSE

To determine whether cryopreserved solutions of the thrombolytic agent alteplase could be used as a safe, effective, and economically reasonable alternative to urokinase in patients presenting with occluded central venous access devices (CVADs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Alteplase has been reported as an efficacious alternative to urokinase for treatment of occluded CVADs. However, the practicality of using alteplase as the thrombolytic of choice for this indication remained conjectural. To make this approach economically feasible, alteplase was diluted to 1 mg/mL and 2.5-mL aliquots were stored at -20 degrees C until use. A need to confirm that the cryopreserving and thawing of the reconstituted solution did not compromise the safety and efficacy reported from prior trials was recognized. A quality assessment initiative was undertaken to concurrently monitor the safety and efficacy of this approach. Patients presenting with occluded CVADs received a sufficient volume of the thawed alteplase solution to fill the occluded catheter(s). Data, including efficacy, adverse reactions, dwell time, and catheter type, were collected over a 5-month period.

RESULTS

One hundred twenty-one patients accounting for 168 attempted clearances were assessable for safety and efficacy. One hundred thirty-six (81%) of the 168 catheter clearance attempts resulted in successful catheter clearance (95% confidence interval, 74% to 86%). No adverse events were reported.

CONCLUSION

Cryopreserved 1-mg/mL aliquots of alteplase are safe and effective in the clearance of occluded CVADs when stored at -20 degrees C for 30 days. The ability to cryopreserve alteplase aliquots makes it an economically reasonable alternative to urokinase in the setting of CVAD occlusion.