When blood is not an option: Optimal bloodless management of severe anemia in pregnancy.

Standard treatment for severe anemia in pregnancy is allogeneic blood transfusion, but this is not acceptable to all patients. Options for alternative anemia treatment are available. In this case report, a 32-year-old G2P1 woman who was a Jehovah's Witness presented at 27 weeks gestation with dyspnea, palpitations, and severe anemia (hemoglobin 2.8 g/dL) related to chronic rectal bleeding. She declined blood transfusion. An anemia management protocol (high-dose erythropoietin-stimulating agent, iron, vitamin D, vitamin C, folate, vitamin B12) rapidly increased endogenous erythropoiesis. After 12 days, hemoglobin increased to 8 g/dL. A bovine hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier was available for acute bleeding but was not used. This case highlights that early initiation of multimodal therapy can adequately increase endogenous erythropoiesis to treat life-threatening anemia in antepartum patients who do not accept blood transfusion.

Regional citrate anticoagulation "non-shock" protocol with pre-calculated flow settings for patients with at least 6 L/hour liver citrate clearance.

BACKGROUND: Regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA) for the prevention of clotting of the extracorporeal blood circuit during continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT) has been employed in limited fashion because of the complexity and complications associated with certain protocols. Hypertonic citrate infusion to achieve circuit anticoagulation results in variable systemic citrate- and sodium load and increases the risk of citrate accumulation and hypernatremia. The practice of "single starting calcium infusion rate for all patients" puts patients at risk for clinically significant hypocalcemia if filter effluent calcium losses exceed replacement. A fixed citrate to blood flow ratio, personalized effluent and pre-calculated calcium infusion dosing based on tables derived through kinetic analysis enable providers to use continuous veno-venous hemo-diafiltration (CVVHDF)-RCA in patients with liver citrate clearance of at least 6 L/h. METHODS: This was a single-center prospective observational study conducted in intensive care unit patients triaged to be treated with the novel pre-calculated CVVHDF-RCA "Non-shock" protocol. RCA efficacy outcomes were time to first hemofilter loss and circuit ionized calcium (iCa) levels. Safety outcomes were surrogate of citrate accumulation (TCa/iCa ratio) and the incidence of acid-base and electrolyte complications. RESULTS: Of 53 patients included in the study, 31 (59%) had acute kidney injury and 12 (22.6%) had the diagnosis of cirrhosis at the start of CVVHDF-RCA. The median first hemofilter life censored for causes other than clotting exceeded 70 h. The cumulative incidence of hypernatremia (Na > 148 mM), metabolic alkalosis (HCO3- > 30 mM), hypocalcemia (iCa < 0.9 mM) and hypercalcemia (iCa > 1.5 mM) were 1/47 (1%), 0/50 (0%), 1/53 (2%), 1/53 (2%) respectively and were not clinically significant. The median (25th-75th percentile) of the highest TCa/iCa ratio for every 24-h interval on CKRT was 1.99 (1.91-2.13). CONCLUSIONS: The fixed citrate to blood flow ratio, as opposed to a titration approach, achieves adequate circuit iCa (< 0.4 mm/L) for any hematocrit level and plasma flow. The personalized dosing approach for calcium supplementation based on pre-calculated effluent calcium losses as opposed to the practice of "one starting dose for all" reduces the risk of clinically significant hypocalcemia. The fixed flow settings achieve clinically desirable steady state systemic electrolyte levels.

Regional Citrate Anticoagulation Protocol for Patients with Presumed Absent Citrate Metabolism.

Background: Regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA) is not recommended in patients with shock or severe liver failure. We designed a protocol with personalized precalculated flow settings for patients with absent citrate metabolism that abrogates risk of citrate toxicity, and maintains neutral continuous KRT (CKRT) circuit calcium mass balance and normal systemic ionized calcium levels. Methods: A single-center prospective cohort study of patients in five adult intensive care units triaged to the CVVHDF-RCA "Shock" protocol. Results: Of 31 patients included in the study, 30 (97%) had AKI, 16 (52%) had acute liver failure, and five (16%) had cirrhosis at the start of CKRT. The median lactate was 5 mmol/L (interquartile range [IQR], 3.2-10.7), AST 822 U/L (IQR, 122-2950), ALT 352 U/L (IQR, 41-2238), total bilirubin 2.7 mg/dl (IQR, 1.0-5.1), and INR two (IQR, 1.5-2.6). The median first hemofilter life censored for causes other than clotting exceeded 70 hours. The cumulative incidence of hypernatremia (Na >148 mM), metabolic alkalosis (HCO3- >30 mM), and hypophosphatemia (P<2 mg/dl) were one out of 26 (4%), zero out of 30 (0%), and one out of 30 (3%), respectively, and were not clinically significant. Mild hypocalcemia occurred in the first 4 hours in two out of 31 patients, and corrected by hour 6 with no additional Ca supplementation beyond the per-protocol administered Ca infusion. The maximum systemic total Ca (tCa; mM)/ionized Ca (iCa; mM) ratio never exceeded 2.5. Conclusions: The Shock protocol can be used without contraindications and is effective in maintaining circuit patency with a high, fixed ACDA infusion rate to blood flow ratio. Keeping single-pass citrate extraction on the dialyzer >0.75 minimizes the risk of citrate toxicity even in patients with absent citrate metabolism. Precalculated, personalized dosing of the initial Ca-infusion rate from a table on the basis of the patient's albumin level and the filter effluent flow rate maintains neutral CKRT circuit calcium mass balance and a normal systemic iCa level.

Vancomycin Enema in the Treatment of Clostridium difficile Infection.

Background: Current guidelines for the treatment of Clostridium difficile infections (CDIs) recommend vancomycin enemas for patients with adynamic ileus. There is significant variability in guideline recommendations for vancomycin dose and enema volume and whether a retention enema should be used. The most recent (2017) guidelines from the Infectious Diseases Society of America/Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America recommend rectal instillation of 500 mg of vancomycin in 100 mL of physiologic saline every 6 hours as a retention enema. Methods: Published studies regarding vancomycin enema use in CDI (1990-present) were reviewed to compare drug dose, volume, and whether a retention enema was used in order to determine the efficacy and make recommendations for optimal dosing. Results: Case series with higher vancomycin dose, higher enema volume, and use of retention enema demonstrated greater efficacy. Use of smaller volumes and lower doses (100 mL; 125-250 mg q 6 hours) demonstrated no efficacy of intracolonic vancomycin. Conclusion: We recommend revision of the current CDI guideline recommendations for patients with adynamic ileus to the following: Vancomycin per rectum (500 mg in a volume of 500 mL q 6 hours) by retention enema (18F Foley catheter with 30-cc balloon inserted into the rectum, balloon inflated, solution instilled, and catheter clamped for 60 minutes) for optimal efficacy.

Hemoglobin-Based Oxygen Carrier for Traumatic Hemorrhagic Shock Treatment in a Jehovah's Witness.

INTRODUCTION: Treatment of severe hemorrhagic shock due to acute blood loss from traumatic injuries in a Jehovah's witness (JW) trauma patient is very challenging since hemostatic blood product resuscitation is limited by refusal of the transfusion of allogeneic blood products. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe a multifaceted approach to the clinical care of a severely anemic JW trauma patient including the early administration of a bovine hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier (HBOC) as a bridge to resolution of critical anemia (nadir hemoglobin 3.9 g/dL). Hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier infusions were used to supplement oxygen delivery until endogenous erythropoiesis could restore adequate red blood cell mass. Subsequent endogenous bone marrow recovery was supported by early administration of high-dose erythropoiesis-stimulating agents and iron supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: Early HBOC administration can be used in the treatment of severe hemorrhagic shock in trauma patients who refuse allogeneic blood.

How do we treat life-threatening anemia in a Jehovah's Witness patient?

The refusal of allogeneic human blood and blood products by Jehovah's Witness (JW) patients complicates the treatment of life-threatening anemia. For JW patients, when hemoglobin (Hb) levels decrease beyond traditional transfusion thresholds (<7 g/dL), alternative methods to allogeneic blood transfusion can be utilized to augment erythropoiesis and restore endogenous Hb levels. The use of erythropoietin-stimulating agents and intravenous iron has been shown to restore red blood cell and Hb levels in JW patients, although these effects may be significantly delayed. When JW patients have evidence of life-threatening anemia (Hb <5 g/dL), oxygen-carrying capacity can be supplemented with the administration of Hb-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs). Although HBOCs are not Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved, they may be obtained and administered with FDA, institutional review board, and patient approval. We describe a protocol-based algorithm to the management of life-threatening anemia in JW patients and review time to anemia reversal and patient outcomes using this approach.

Nutrition therapy for ALI and ARDS.

The importance of nutrition support in critically ill patients with acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) cannot be overstated. ALI and ARDS are characterized by a proinflammatory response associated with hypercatabolism that could lead to significant nutrition deficits. Nutrition support is necessary to prevent cumulative caloric deficits, malnutrition, loss of lean body mass, and deterioration of respiratory muscle strength. Furthermore, early delivery of enteral nutrition has been associated with the modulation of stress and the systemic immune response as well as the attenuation of disease severity.

Clinical update on the use of moxifloxacin in the treatment of community-acquired complicated intraabdominal infections.

BACKGROUND: Community-acquired complicated intraabdominal infections (cIAIs) present problems for clinicians and have substantial impact on hospital resources. Because of the polymicrobial nature of these infections, successful management of cIAIs depends on timely and appropriate use of antisepsis and antiinfective strategies. METHODS: The literature pertinent to this article was reviewed. RESULTS: The Surgical Infection Society and the Infectious Disease Society of America guidelines recommend a variety of single and combined antimicrobial therapies, including fluoroquinolone therapy, for prophylactic and definitive treatment of cIAIs with different severities. Moxifloxacin, a fluoroquinolone, demonstrates a broad spectrum of antimicrobial (including anaerobic) activity, good tissue penetration into the gastrointestinal tract, and a good tolerability profile. Clinical data also have demonstrated that moxifloxacin is effective as monotherapy for patients with cIAIs. This review identifies the clinical issues impacting antimicrobial selection in cIAI and discusses data on the role of moxifloxacin in light of the current guidelines for management of these patients. CONCLUSION: Moxifloxacin provides clinicians with a convenient monotherapy option for the treatment of mild-to-moderate cIAIs.

Early appropriate parenteral antimicrobial treatment of complicated skin and soft tissue infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

BACKGROUND: Complicated skin and soft tissue infections (cSSTIs) are a major clinical problem, in part because of the increasing resistance of infecting bacteria to our current antibiotic therapies. Prompt appropriate treatment of infections in hospitalized patients reduces the mortality rate. Furthermore, appropriate and timely antibiotic therapy improves outcomes for cSSTIs caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This review delineates factors to consider in the choice of initial antibiotic treatment for cSSTIs and describes the antimicrobial agents available or under clinical development for the treatment of cSSTIs caused by MRSA. METHODS: Review of the pertinent literature and recommendations. RESULTS: The choice of antimicrobial agent for empiric treatment of cSSTIs should be guided by the site and type of infection, the presence of an immunocompromised state or neutropenia, and risk factors for hospital-acquired MRSA (HA-MRSA) or community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) infection. Most CA-MRSA strains remain susceptible to ciprofloxacin, clindamycin, gentamicin, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, although resistance to clindamycin can emerge during treatment. Of the agents available for the treatment of HA-MRSA cSSTIs, vancomycin has been the reference standard, but clinical failures have been reported increasingly. Alternative agents for HA-MRSA include linezolid, which has been well-studied for treatment of cSSTIs, as well as daptomycin and tigecycline. A number of antibiotic agents are undergoing clinical trials or are under development for the treatment of cSSTIs caused by MRSA. CONCLUSIONS: Severe and progressive cSSTIs should be treated promptly with appropriate antibiotic agents. The choice of agent should be guided by a number of factors, including suspected CA-MRSA or HA-MRSA infection. Available agents should be evaluated carefully for efficacy in the treatment of MRSA cSSTIs.

Perioperative anemia: an independent risk factor for infection, mortality, and resource utilization in surgery.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies on patients with hip fractures and in patients with colorectal cancer have documented that perioperative transfusion is associated with a significant increase in postoperative infection rate. Therefore, we sought to investigate the incidence of preoperative and postoperative anemia in noncardiac surgical patients and to determine if transfusion is an independent risk factor for infection and adverse outcome postoperatively. METHODS: Prospective data from the National Veterans Administration Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) was collected on 6301 noncardiac surgical patients at the Veterans Affairs Maryland Healthcare System from 1995 to 2000. RESULTS: The mean age of the study cohort was 61 +/- 13. Descriptive data revealed 95% were male, 44% used tobacco, 19% were diabetic, 9% had COPD, 9% used alcohol, 3% used steroids, 1.7% had a diagnosis of cancer, and 1.2% had ascites. Preoperative anemia (hematocrit less than 36) was found in 33.9% and postoperative anemia was found in 84.1% of the study cohort. In the postoperative period, 32.5% of patients had a hematocrit of 26-30, and 26.5% had a hematocrit of 21-25. Mean units of blood transfused in the perioperative period ranged from 0.1 +/- 0.9 in patients without anemia to 2.7 +/- 2.9 in those with anemia. Incidence of pneumonia increased from 2.6 to 5% with increasing degree of anemia. Multiple logistic regression analysis documented that low preoperative hematocrit, low postoperative hematocrit, and increased blood transfusion rates were associated with increased mortality (P < 0.01), increased postoperative pneumonia (P < or = 0.05), and increased hospital length of stay (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: There is a high incidence of preoperative and postoperative anemia in surgical patients, with a coincident increase in blood utilization. These factors are associated with increased risk for perioperative infection and adverse outcome (mortality) in surgical patients. Consideration should be given to preoperative diagnosis and correction of anemia with iron, vitamin B12, folate supplementation, or administration of recombinant human erythropoietin.