Analysis of the use of empiric antimicrobial prophylaxis for temporary cardiac devices at a large academic medical center.

INTRODUCTION: Varying rates of access site infections with temporary percutaneous cardiac devices have been reported in the literature. The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of a change in institutional practice in utilizing antimicrobial prophylaxis to prevent access site infections in patients with these devices. METHODS: This observational, pre-post implementation analysis evaluated the benefit of prophylactic antimicrobial therapy in adult patients with temporary percutaneous cardiac devices admitted to cardiac intensive care units. Patients in the pre-cohort received prophylactic antibiotics for the duration of device insertion. Patients in the post-cohort received a single dose of intravenous antibiotics for veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) or Impella® 5.5 device placement, and no antimicrobial prophylaxis for all other devices placed. The primary endpoint was the incidence of definitive access site infection. Secondary endpoints included the incidence of Clostridium difficile infection and initiation of broad-spectrum antibiotics. RESULTS: Fifty patients in the pre-cohort and 45 patients in the post-cohort were evaluated. Devices included intra-aortic balloon pumps, VA-ECMO, Impella® CP and Impella® 5.5. The median duration of device insertion was four days. No significant difference in the primary outcome was seen between the two groups. A significant reduction in prophylactic antimicrobial utilization and total days of antimicrobial exposure was observed in the post-implementation cohort. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of our study, the implemented guideline reduces the utilization of antimicrobial prophylaxis in patients with temporary percutaneous cardiac devices and does not result in an increased rate of infections.

Incidence and severity of thrombocytopenia associated with use of intravascular microaxial ventricular assist devices for treatment of cardiogenic shock.

INTRODUCTION: The use of temporary mechanical circulatory support (MCS) for patients with refractory cardiogenic shock has increased over the past decade. Impella devices (intravascular microaxial ventricular assist devices [VADs]) have become common MCS options but reportedly cause thrombocytopenia. Limited published data regarding the incidence or severity of microaxial VAD-associated thrombocytopenia exists. OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to determine the incidence, timing, and severity of thrombocytopenia in a microaxial VAD population. METHODS: A retrospective multicenter review of electronic medical records identified all patients implanted with microaxial VAD at three US academic teaching hospitals between June 2015 and August 2017. Patients were excluded for short-term procedural microaxial VAD use during percutaneous coronary intervention. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients underwent microaxial VAD insertion (95% for left-sided support) during the observed time period. Support was in place for a median duration of 5.2 (interquartile range [IQR]: 2.4-10.0) days. Within 7 days postinsertion, 98.5% of patients developed thrombocytopenia (platelet count <150,000/µl) and 81.3% of patients experienced a >50% platelet decrease. Average platelet count nadir was 68,200/µl or 63.9% from baseline occurring on median day 3.8 (IQR: 2.4-5.4). Twenty-four patients (38.1%) were tested for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia by the heparin-dependent antibody (HDA) test. All HDAs were either negative or had serotonin release assay negative confirmation. Postdevice removal, platelet counts returned to baseline or >150,000/µl in 63% of patients by Day 5. CONCLUSION: Microaxial VAD-associated thrombocytopenia is common. Practitioners should consider this when evaluating supported patients for other causes of thrombocytopenia. Platelet counts return to preimplantation levels within days of device removal.

Albumin utilization in cardiac surgery after transition to hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the impact of replacing hydroxyethyl starch (HES) 670/0.75 with lower molecular weight HES 130/0.4 on albumin utilization in cardiac surgery, as well as any impact on renal function and bleeding. DESIGN: A pre- and postimplementation, retrospective analysis. SETTING: Community, not-for-profit, tertiary medical center. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred forty-six patients undergoing nonemergent cardiac bypass graft and cardiac valve surgeries after exclusion for documented anemia, malignancy, coagulation disorder, end-stage renal disease, or personal objection to receiving blood products. INTERVENTION: HES 130/0.4 utilization instead of HES 670/0.75 for volume expansion. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Patients were less likely to be administered albumin intraoperatively (odds ratio [OR] 0.16, confidence interval [CI] 0.08-0.35, P < .001). When albumin was utilized, intraoperative amounts were similar (mean ± standard deviation [SD]: 36.1 ± 17.1 g vs 43.8 ± 15.5 g, P = .16). Patients were more likely to receive an intraoperative HES product after the formulary change (OR 11.1, CI 4.4-27.6, P < .001) as well as larger volumes (mean ± SD: 743 ± 544 mL vs 500 ± 0 mL, P = .01). No differences were detected in mean baseline-to-discharge changes in serum creatinine or in postoperative urine output, nor were there differences in clinically significant bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: Change to a lower molecular weight HES decreased intraoperative albumin utilization and increased HES utilization with no detected difference in renal function or bleeding complications.