124. Implementation of IV Push Antibiotics for Outpatients During a National Fluid Shortage Following Hurricane Maria

Background Prior to the introduction of intravenous (IV) drip infusion, most IV drugs were delivered in a single bolus. However, with the advent of new agents, IV drip infusions became the standard for all medication delivery. In September 2017, Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico and took a devastating toll. As Puerto Rico is the largest supplier of IV fluid bags, this lead to a worldwide fluid bag shortage. The outpatient antimicrobial therapy program (OPAT) was significantly impacted by the fluid shortage and this required effective stewardship at the Parkland Health and Hospital System in order to serve a largely uninsured and under-insured patient population. Methods Parkland pharmacists evaluated all self-administered antimicrobials for viability of administration as an IV single bolus push (IV-push) instead of a mini-bag infusion (IV-drip infusion). These medications were transitioned to IV-push for patient care. Data was gathered on patient demographics, 30-day readmission rates, mortality, discharge teaching satisfaction, patient satisfaction, and cost evaluation. Results 113 treatment courses were self-administered using the IV-push method and were compared to 102 self-administered courses using the IV drip infusion method, over the same time course. Individuals using IV-push had a statistically significant decrease in hospital length of stay as compared to those using IV-drip infusion. The 30-day readmission rate, emergency department visits, and mortality were similar between groups. Patient satisfaction was greater with IV-push (96% preferring). The shift to IV-push via the S-OPAT program saved 504 liters of normal saline, which along with a reduction in supplies and drug costs, resulted in an additional savings of &43,652 over a 6-month period. Conclusion The abrupt IV fluid shortage following a natural disaster challenged clinicians to think differently about standard practices. This led to implementation of a high value care model that is sustainable without affecting safety, efficacy, or efficiency. Given the cost savings, increased patient satisfaction, and equal clinical outcomes, the IV push model is not only a viable alternative initiated during a crisis; it is preferable in many standard situations. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Comparison of bolus administration effects of lidocaine on preventing tourniquet-induced hypertension in patients undergoing general anesthesia: a randomized controlled trial

Background: This study assessed the effect of a single bolus administration of lidocaine on the prevention of tourniquet-induced hypertension (TIH) and compared the effect of lidocaine to that of ketamine in patients undergoing general anesthesia.Methods: This randomized, controlled, double-blind study included 75 patients who underwent lower limb surgery using a tourniquet. The patients were administered lidocaine (1.5 mg/kg, n = 25), ketamine (0.2 mg/kg, n = 25) or placebo (n = 25). The study drugs were administered intravenously 10 min before tourniquet inflation. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and heart rate (HR) were measured before tourniquet inflation, after tourniquet inflation for 60 min at 10 min intervals, and immediately after tourniquet deflation. The incidence of TIH, defined as an increase of 30% or more in SBP or DBP during tourniquet inflation, was also recorded.Results: SBP, DBP, and HR increased significantly over time in the control group compared to those in the lidocaine and ketamine groups for 60 min after tourniquet inflation (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P = 0.007, respectively). The incidence of TIH was significantly lower in the lidocaine (n = 4, 16%) and ketamine (n = 3, 12%) group than in the control group (n = 14, 56%) (P = 0.001). Conclusion: Single-bolus lidocaine effectively attenuated blood pressure increase due to tourniquet inflation, with an effect comparable to that of bolus ketamine.

Understanding the impact of more realistic low-dose, prolonged engineered nanomaterial exposure on genotoxicity using 3D models of the human liver

Background With the continued integration of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) into everyday applications, it is important to understand their potential for inducing adverse human health effects. However, standard in vitro hazard characterisation approaches suffer limitations for evaluating ENM and so it is imperative to determine these potential hazards under more physiologically relevant and realistic exposure scenarios in target organ systems, to minimise the necessity for in vivo testing. The aim of this study was to determine if acute (24 h) and prolonged (120 h) exposures to five ENMs (TiO2, ZnO, Ag, BaSO4 and CeO2) would have a significantly different toxicological outcome (cytotoxicity, (pro-)inflammatory and genotoxic response) upon 3D human HepG2 liver spheroids. In addition, this study evaluated whether a more realistic, prolonged fractionated and repeated ENM dosing regime induces a significantly different toxicity outcome in liver spheroids as compared to a single, bolus prolonged exposure. Results Whilst it was found that the five ENMs did not impede liver functionality (e.g. albumin and urea production), induce cytotoxicity or an IL-8 (pro-)inflammatory response, all were found to cause significant genotoxicity following acute exposure. Most statistically significant genotoxic responses were not dose-dependent, with the exception of TiO2. Interestingly, the DNA damage effects observed following acute exposures, were not mirrored in the prolonged exposures, where only 0.2–5.0 µg/mL of ZnO ENMs were found to elicit significant (p ≤ 0.05) genotoxicity. When fractionated, repeated exposure regimes were performed with the test ENMs, no significant (p ≥ 0.05) difference was observed when compared to the single, bolus exposure regime. There was < 5.0% cytotoxicity observed across all exposures, and the mean difference in IL-8 cytokine release and genotoxicity between exposure regimes was 3.425 pg/mL and 0.181%, respectively. Conclusion In conclusion, whilst there was no difference between a single, bolus or fractionated, repeated ENM prolonged exposure regimes upon the toxicological output of 3D HepG2 liver spheroids, there was a difference between acute and prolonged exposures. This study highlights the importance of evaluating more realistic ENM exposures, thereby providing a future in vitro approach to better support ENM hazard assessment in a routine and easily accessible manner.

ACTION-1: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial on ACT guided heparinization during open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair {1}

BackgroundHeparin is used worldwide for 70 years during all non-cardiac arterial procedures (NCAP) to reduce thrombo-embolic complications (TEC). But heparin also increases blood loss causing possible harm for the patient. Heparin has an unpredictable effect in the individual patient. The Activated Clotting Time (ACT) can measure the effect of heparin. Currently this ACT is not measured during NCAP as standard of care, contrary to during cardiac interventions, open and endovascular. A RCT will evaluate if ACT guided heparinization results in less TEC than the current standard: a single bolus of 5 000 IU of heparin and no measurements at all. A goal ACT of 200-220 seconds should be reached during ACT guided heparinization and this should decrease (mortality caused by) TEC, while not increasing major bleeding complications. This RCT will be executed during open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) surgery, as this is a standardized procedure throughout Europe.MethodsSeven-hundred-fifty patients, who will undergo open AAA repair of an aneurysm originating below the superior mesenteric artery, will be randomised in 2 treatment arms: 5 000 IU of heparin and no ACT measurements and no additional doses of heparin, or a protocol of 100 IU/kg bolus of heparin and ACT measurements after 5 min., and then every 30 min. Goal ACT is 200-220 sec. If the ACT after 5 min. is < 180 sec. 60 IU/kg will be administered, if the ACT is between 180 and 200 sec. 30 IU/kg. If the ACT is > 220 sec. no extra heparin is given, and the ACT is measured after 30 minutes and then the same protocol is applied. The expected incidence for the combined endpoint of TEC and mortality is 19% for the 5 000 IU group and 11% for the ACT guided group.DiscussionThe ACTION-1 trial is an international RCT during open AAA surgery, designed to show superiority of ACT guided heparinization compared to the current standard of a single bolus of 5 000 IU of heparin. A significant reduction in TEC and mortality, without more major bleeding complications, must be proven with a relevant economic benefit.Trial registration {2a}NTR: NL8421Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT04061798. Date of registration: 20-08-2019. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04061798?cond=NCT04061798&draw=2&rank=1 EudraCT: 2018-003393-27

Split vs. Single Bolus CT Urography: Comparison of Scan Time, Image Quality and Radiation Dose

The purpose of this study was to compare the scan time, image quality and radiation dose of CT urograms (CTU) using a split vs. single bolus contrast media injection technique. A total of 241 consecutive CTUs performed between August 2019-February 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. There were three study groups: Group 1, <50 years old, 50/80 cc split-bolus administered at 0 and 700 s post initiation of injection, with combined nephrographic and excretory phases; group 2, ≥50 years old, same split-bolus protocol; and group 3, ≥50 years old, 130 cc single bolus injection, with nephrographic and excretory phases acquired at 100 s and 460 s post injection initiation. The recorded data elements were scan time, number of excretory phases, imaging quality based on opacification of the urinary collecting system (<50%, 50–75%, 75–100%), and dose-length product (DLP). Associations between group and categorical variables were assessed (Chi-square); mean scan time and DLP were compared (one-way ANOVA). Following analysis, proportionally fewer CTUs required a repeat excretory phase in group 3 (32/112, 28.6%) than in groups 1 (25/48, 52.1%) and 2 (37/80, 46.3%) (p = 0.006). Mean scan time was significantly lower in group 3 (678 s) than in groups 1 (1046 s) and 2 (978 s) (p < 0.0001). There was no association between groups and image quality (p = 0.13). DLP was higher in group 3 (1422 ± 837 mGy·cm) than in groups 1 (1041 ± 531 mGy·cm) and 2 (1137 ± 646 mGy·cm) (p = 0.003). In conclusion, single bolus CTU resulted in significantly fewer repeat phases and faster scan time at the expense of a slightly higher radiation dose.