Latency Antibiotics in Preterm Prelabor Rupture of Membranes: A Comparison of Azithromycin Regimens.

BACKGROUND: Treatment with antibiotics at the time of preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM) has been shown to prolong pregnancy. Due to the recurrent shortage of erythromycin, azithromycin has been substituted in the traditional regimen; however, there are little data on optimal dosing. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine whether there is a difference in latency from onset of PPROM to delivery in patients who received a single dose of azithromycin compared with a 5-day course. METHODS: This was a single-center, multisite, retrospective, IRB approved analysis of patients admitted with a diagnosis of PPROM. Patients were included if rupture occurred between 22 0/7 and 33 6/7 weeks of gestation and received either a single dose or a 5-day course of azithromycin along with a beta lactam. RESULTS: A total of 376 patients were reviewed with 296 patients included in the final analysis. There was no statistical difference in the primary outcome of latency days in patients who received the 5-day versus the single-dose course (4 vs 5 days, P = 0.641). There was a significantly higher rate of histologic chorioamnionitis in the single-dose course of azithromycin (46.4% vs 62.6%, P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: There was no difference in latency for patients who received a 5-day course of azithromycin versus a single dose for the treatment of PPROM. A higher rate of histologic chorioamnionitis was observed in those who received the single-day course. Prospective follow-up studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Timing of Vasopressin Addition to Norepinephrine and Efficacy Outcomes in Patients With Septic Shock.

BACKGROUND: Current guidelines recommend norepinephrine as the first-line vasopressor in septic shock followed by addition of vasopressin to achieve a goal mean arterial pressure. Limited evidence exists evaluating how the timing of vasopressin addition affects clinical outcomes in septic shock. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine whether the timing of the addition of vasopressin to norepinephrine affects shock resolution. METHODS: This was a multi-site, single system, retrospective cohort, institutional review board (IRB)-approved study examining adult patients with septic shock who received norepinephrine and vasopressin. Patients were divided and statistically analyzed in two subgroups: early vasopressin addition (<3 hours) and late vasopressin addition (≥3 hours). The primary outcome was time to shock resolution, defined as vasopressor free for at least 24 hours. Secondary outcomes included norepinephrine dose at 3 hours after initiation of vasopressin, in-hospital mortality, and intensive care unit length of stay. RESULTS: A total of 243 patients were included in this study. A statistically significant decrease in time to shock resolution was observed in the early vasopressin addition group compared to the late vasopressin addition group (37.6 hours vs 60.7 hours; adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 2.07 [1.48-2.89; P = <0.001]). The early addition of vasopressin did not affect norepinephrine dose or in-hospital mortality but did lead to a decreased intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (4.3 days vs 5.3 days, P = 0.02). CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: Addition of vasopressin to norepinephrine within 3 hours was associated with a faster time to shock resolution. These findings suggest a potential for improved clinical outcomes with earlier vasopressin addition.

Evaluating the Effects of Ertapenem and Meropenem on Tacrolimus.

Purpose: Further elucidate the potential drug interaction between tacrolimus and carbapenems in order to appropriately maintain the balance between infection treatment and therapeutic immunosuppression. Methods: This study was a retrospective evaluation of solid organ transplant recipients on a stable dose of tacrolimus who received either ertapenem or meropenem. Patients were excluded if they had acute kidney injury, acute liver failure, concomitant initiation of medications that interact with tacrolimus, or were pregnant. The primary endpoint was the change in the median daily tacrolimus dose after meropenem or ertapenem administration. The secondary endpoint was the change in serum tacrolimus levels after meropenem or ertapenem administration. Results: A total of 28 patients on tacrolimus were included in the study, 12 received ertapenem and 16 received meropenem. The median daily tacrolimus dose was 4.5 mg [IQR 3.0 mg - 8.8 mg] prior to and 3.4 mg [IQR 2.3 mg - 8.8 mg] after ertapenem administration. The median daily tacrolimus dose was 3.0 mg [IQR 1.6 mg - 5.5 mg] before and 3.0 mg [IQR 1.6 mg - 5.5 mg] after meropenem administration. No statistically significant difference in regard to the change in the median daily tacrolimus dose after ertapenem (P =.173) or meropenem administration (P =.755) was observed. There was no statistically significant difference found after ertapenem (P =.583) or meropenem (P =.317) administration when comparing pre- and post-administration median serum tacrolimus levels. Conclusion: The administration of ertapenem or meropenem did not affect serum tacrolimus levels or daily tacrolimus dose suggesting against empiric dose adjustments with co-administration.

Ketamine for Migraine in the Emergency Department.

Ketamine is utilized often in the emergency department (ED) for rapid sequence intubation, procedural sedation, and acute pain management. The treatment of migraine headache in the ED varies widely and is dependent on several factors including migraine cause, previous successful abortive methods, and provider preference. Several medications are currently employed to treat acute migraine including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, triptans, antihistamines, prochlorperazine, and corticosteroids, among others. Interest in ketamine as an abortive agent to treat migraine has increased as evidenced by recent studies evaluating its use in the ED. This review examines the data regarding the use of ketamine to treat migraine headache. The concept of treating migraine headache with ketamine has been studied for more than 20 years. Early studies conducted primarily in the outpatient setting evaluated ketamine through multiple routes of administration and differing migraine causes with varying results. These early data seem to suggest that ketamine provides relief from headache severity but provides little information regarding the optimal dose and route of administration. Recent active comparator and placebo-controlled trials in the ED utilizing subdissociative doses of ketamine (0.2-0.3 mg/kg intravenously) show conflicting results. To confound the decision regarding its use further, ED providers encounter differing recommendations regarding its place in therapy. Current data suggest that ketamine may provide pain relief to patients with migraine headache. Although there may be a role for ketamine in certain cases after more robust evidence becomes available, currently it is premature to incorporate ketamine into routine use. Several questions remain to be answered including its overall efficacy, place in therapy, dosage, and risk of undesirable side effects.

Hypercalcemia-Induced Pancreatitis in Pregnancy Following Calcium Carbonate Ingestion.

BACKGROUND: Calcium carbonate is often used to relieve Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) in pregnant patients. This report describes a potentially serious complication. CASE: A pregnant female presented at 34 weeks gestation with abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Home medications included an unquantifiable amount of calcium carbonate 500 mg due to constant consumption for GERD. Laboratory findings included elevated calcium, amylase, lipase, and triglyceride level. Pancreatitis was diagnosed and abdominal ultrasound excluded gallstones. Despite hydration, lipase rose and emergency cesarean section was performed. Hypercalcemia was managed by intravenous fluid administration. After delivery, pancreatitis resolved. CONCLUSION: Pancreatitis developed in pregnant patient with hypercalcemia due to excessive calcium carbonate ingestion and resolved after delivery of the fetus, fluid resuscitation, and return of calcium level to normal.