Faculty Bibliography

Post-neurosurgical infections caused by multidrug-resistant Enterobacterales are difficult to treat due to limited therapeutic options. Ceftazidime-avibactam (CAZ-AVI), a combination of cephalosporin and a novel β-lactamase inhibitor, has exhibited potential activity against multi/extensive drug-resistant (MDR/XDR) gram-negative bacilli. Several reports have described the successful treatment of central infections caused by MDR/XDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Enterobacterales. However, data on the efficacy and effective drug distribution of CAZ-AVI in the central nervous system (CNS), particularly in children, are lacking. We report a case of a 4-year-old girl with post-neurosurgical meningitis and abscess caused by extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli successfully treated with CAZ-AVI. CAZ-AVI therapeutic drug monitoring was performed to evaluate its efficacy and effective drug distribution in the CNS. We measured CAZ (15.6, 7.1, and 3.5 μg/mL) and AVI (4.0, 2.1, and 1.2 μg/mL) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples obtained 3, 5, and 7 h after the administration of the 15th CAZ-AVI dose (2.5 g, q8h, iv), respectively. We also measured CAZ (57.0 and 25.8 μg/mL) and AVI (11.3 and 4.5 μg/mL) in serum samples obtained 3 and 5 h after the administration, respectively. CAZ-AVI achieved an adequate CSF concentration throughout the drug interval. Our case provides evidence for using CAZ-AVI to treat CNS infections.

Dialysis patients are often iron deficient due to a multiple factors. Ferric pyrophosphate citrate is a complex iron salt that can be given via dialysate allowing maintenance of hemoglobin (Hgb) concentration and iron balance while reducing the need for IV iron. The purpose of this study is to perform a cost evaluation of FPC and the effect it has on lowering the dose/use of ESAs and IV iron therapy. This study reviewed the same 100 hemodialysis patient's charts before and after the use of FPC. The data points that were collected and analyzed are as follows: hemoglobin, ferritin levels, average weekly ESA dosing, and IV iron replacement therapy dose. Out of 100 patients, there was no statistical difference in the average hemoglobin, ferritin, and iron saturation levels observed in the patients before and after FPC use. The average weekly dose of darbepoetin alfa per patient was 52.74 μg before the FPC group compared to 39.27 μg in the post FPC group (P < .0001). The total dose of ferric gluconate per patient was 3290.01 mg in the before FPC group and 585.60 mg in the post FPC group (P < .0001). The average total iron sucrose dose per patient in the before FPC group was 3097.92 mg versus 1216.67 mg in the post FPC group (P < .1563). When comparing FPC's cost and implementation into both of our outpatient dialysis centers, this yielded a net savings of $296 751.49.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:Safety of remdesivir in patients with renal impairment is unknown. Incidence of liver injury secondary to remdesivir is also unknown. The objective of this study is to assess the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) and to trend the liver enzymes during remdesivir treatment and change in eGFR from baseline to end of treatment as well as 48 h post completion of remdesivir therapy. METHODS:This is a retrospective chart review study including adult patients admitted with COVID-19 receiving remdesivir with a baseline eGFR < 30 ml/min per 1.73 m^2 from December 2020 to May 2021. The primary outcome was to assess the incidence of AKI and hepatic injury. The secondary outcome was to assess the efficacy of remdesivir defined by change in oxygen requirement. RESULTS:Seventy-one patients were included in the study. Patients experienced an improvement in eGFR from baseline (T0) to end of remdesivir treatment (T1), as well as 48 h after the end of the treatment (T2) ( + 30.3% and + 30.6% respectively, P < .0001). Creatinine reduced from baseline (T0) to T1 and T2 (-20.9% and -20.5% respectively, P < .0001). Creatinine clearance improved from baseline to T1 and T2 ( + 26.6% and + 26.2% respectively, p < .0001). Elevation of aminotransferase (AST) was observed at T1 ( + 2.5%, P  =  .727), however, AST reduction was seen at T2 (-15.8%, P  =  .021). Elevation in alanine transaminase (ALT) was observed at T1 and T2 ( + 25% and + 12%, P  =  .004 and P  =  .137 respectively). Both direct and total bilirubin remained stable and were not significantly changed from baseline. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Our study showed that remdesivir use in renally-impaired patients with eGFR < 30 ml/min is safe. Remdesivir may be considered as a therapeutic option in this population with COVID-19 infection.

BACKGROUND:Valproic acid (VPA) has been widely used to prevent epileptic seizures after neurosurgery in China. We have found that the incidence of liver injury (LI) in patients using VPA after neurosurgery is higher than that in other patients. OBJECTIVE:The objective of this study was to investigate the risk factors of LI in patients using VPA after neurosurgery. METHODS:A nested case-control study was conducted in patients using VPA after neurosurgery between September 2019 and March 2021. Cases of LI were matched to controls by age and body mass index (BMI). Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate matched odds ratios representing the odds of LI. A receiver operating characteristic curve was used to analyze the optimal cutoff condition. RESULTS:A total of 248 people (62 LI and 186 control) were enrolled. Among patients with vs without LI, the matched odds ratio for trough concentration of VPA was significant (matched odds ratio [OR], 1.09; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-1.19). The course of treatment (OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.02-1.33), Glasgow score (OR: 0.26, 95% CI: 0.10-0.67), gene polymorphisms of CYP2C19 (OR: 2.09, 95% CI: 1.03-146.93), and UGT1A6 (OR: 34.61, 95% CI: 1.19-1003.23) were all related to the outcome. The optimal cutoff of the course of treatment was 10 days, while the trough concentration of VPA was determined to be 66.16 mg/L. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Length of treatment, VPA trough concentration, and Glasgow score were associated with LI in patients after neurosurgery. A gene test may be necessary for people who are prescribed VPA for a long time.

OBJECTIVE: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the most common cause of death and disability in persons between 15 and 30 years of age. Although various pharmacological agents have been reported to enhance consciousness recovery, few trials have studied these medications in patients with acute TBI. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of modafinil, methylphenidate, amantadine, and zolpidem in improving wakefulness in patients with TBI in an intensive care unit (ICU) setting and to identify any adverse drug reactions. METHODS: Retrospective chart review identified all patients prescribed modafinil, methylphenidate, amantadine, or zolpidem; only patients older than 18 years with TBI in an ICU setting were further analyzed. The electronic medical record was used to retrieve clinical data including patient demographics, mechanism of TBI, drug dosage, treatment duration, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, length of time to improve GCS score, hospital length of stay, reported adverse drug reactions associated with above medications, and mortality. The primary outcome was the rate of positive response in the clinical neurological exam. Secondary outcomes included change in baseline and final GCS score, time to response, duration of treatment, change in GCS score over time, length of hospital stay, and in-hospital mortality. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The final analysis included a total of 53 patients. Median ages ranged from 44.0 to 61.5 years; 85% of patients were male. Baseline median GCS score was 8.0 in the amantadine group; 6.5, modafinil; 7.5, methylphenidate; and 7.0, zolpidem. The highest positive response rate was 90% in the amantadine group, followed by modafinil, 77%; methylphenidate, 50%; and zolpidem, 36%. The change in baseline GCS score and median final GCS score for amantadine, modafinil, methylphenidate, and zolpidem was 2.5, 3.0, 1.0, and 0, respectively (P = 0.20). The median time to response in days was 1.5, 1.0, 0.5, and 1.0, respectively. Change in GCS score over time for amantadine, modafinil, methylphenidate, and zolpidem was 0.16, 0.38, 0.12, and 0, respectively. Though rare, the most common adverse events were agitation, hypertension, and posturing. CONCLUSION: It remains to be determined if these medications have a role in reducing ICU and hospital length of stay, length of mechanical ventilation, tracheostomies, and overall medical costs in managing TBI patients. In our study amantadine was associated with the highest overall positive response rate when used as an awakening agent in TBI. Modafinil was associated with the largest change in GCS score over time.