Intravenous supplementation type and volume are associated with 1-year outcome and major complications in patients with chronic intestinal failure.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: No marker to categorise the severity of chronic intestinal failure (CIF) has been developed. A 1-year international survey was carried out to investigate whether the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism clinical classification of CIF, based on the type and volume of the intravenous supplementation (IVS), could be an indicator of CIF severity. METHODS: At baseline, participating home parenteral nutrition (HPN) centres enrolled all adults with ongoing CIF due to non-malignant disease; demographic data, body mass index, CIF mechanism, underlying disease, HPN duration and IVS category were recorded for each patient. The type of IVS was classified as fluid and electrolyte alone (FE) or parenteral nutrition admixture (PN). The mean daily IVS volume, calculated on a weekly basis, was categorised as <1, 1-2, 2-3 and >3 L/day. The severity of CIF was determined by patient outcome (still on HPN, weaned from HPN, deceased) and the occurrence of major HPN/CIF-related complications: intestinal failure-associated liver disease (IFALD), catheter-related venous thrombosis and catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI). RESULTS: Fifty-one HPN centres included 2194 patients. The analysis showed that both IVS type and volume were independently associated with the odds of weaning from HPN (significantly higher for PN <1 L/day than for FE and all PN >1 L/day), patients' death (lower for FE, p=0.079), presence of IFALD cholestasis/liver failure and occurrence of CRBSI (significantly higher for PN 2-3 and PN >3 L/day). CONCLUSIONS: The type and volume of IVS required by patients with CIF could be indicators to categorise the severity of CIF in both clinical practice and research protocols.

Management of Five Hundred Patients With Gut Failure at a Single Center: Surgical Innovation Versus Transplantation With a Novel Predictive Model.

OBJECTIVE(S): To define the evolving role of integrative surgical management including transplantation for patients gut failure (GF). METHODS: A total of 500 patients with total parenteral nutrition-dependent catastrophic and chronic GF were referred for surgical intervention particularly transplantation and comprised the study population. With a mean age of 45 ±â€Š17 years, 477 (95%) were adults and 23 (5%) were children. Management strategy was guided by clinical status, splanchnic organ functions, anatomy of residual gut, and cause of GF. Surgery was performed in 462 (92%) patients and 38 (8%) continued medical treatment. Definitive autologous gut reconstruction (AGR) was achievable in 378 (82%), primary transplant in 42 (9%), and AGR followed by transplant in 42 (9%). The 84 transplant recipients received 94 allografts; 67 (71%) liver-free and 27 (29%) liver-contained. The 420 AGR patients received a total of 790 reconstructive and remodeling procedures including primary reconstruction, interposition alimentary-conduits, intestinal/colonic lengthening, and reductive/decompressive surgery. Glucagon-like peptide-2 was used in 17 patients. RESULTS: Overall patient survival was 86% at 1-year and 68% at 5-years with restored nutritional autonomy (RNA) in 63% and 78%, respectively. Surgery achieved a 5-year survival of 70% with 82% RNA. AGR achieved better long-term survival and transplantation better (P = 0.03) re-established nutritional autonomy. Both AGR and transplant were cost effective and quality of life better improved after AGR. A model to predict RNA after AGR was developed computing anatomy of reconstructed gut, total parenteral nutrition requirements, cause of GF, and serum bilirubin. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical integration is an effective management strategy for GF. Further progress is foreseen with the herein-described novel techniques and established RNA predictive model.

Intestinal Failure: Adaptation, Rehabilitation, and Transplantation.

Intestinal failure (IF) is a state in which the nutritional demands are not met by the gastrointestinal absorptive surface. A majority of IF cases are associated with short-bowel syndrome, which is a result of malabsorption after significant intestinal resection for numerous reasons, some of which include Crohn's disease, vascular thrombosis, and radiation enteritis. IF can also be caused by obstruction, dysmotility, and congenital defects. Recognition and management of IF can be challenging, given the complex nature of this condition. This review discusses the management of IF with a focus on intestinal rehabilitation, parenteral nutrition, and transplantation.

Autologous Reconstruction and Visceral Transplantation for Management of Patients With Gut Failure After Bariatric Surgery: 20 Years of Experience.

OBJECTIVE: Bariatric surgery (BS) is currently the most effective treatment for severe obesity. However, these weight loss procedures may result in the development of gut failure (GF) with the need for total parenteral nutrition (TPN). This retrospective study is the first to address the anatomic and functional spectrum of BS-associated GF with innovative surgical modalities to restore gut function. METHODS: Over 2 decades, 1500 adults with GF were referred with history of BS in 142 (9%). Of these, 131 (92%) were evaluated and received multidisciplinary care. GF was due to catastrophic gut loss (Type-I, 42%), technical complications (Type-II, 33%), and dysfunctional syndromes (Type-III, 25%). Primary bariatric procedures were malabsorptive (5%), restrictive (19%), and combined (76%). TPN duration ranged from 2 to 252 months. RESULTS: Restorative surgery was performed in 116 (89%) patients with utilization of visceral transplantation as a rescue therapy in 23 (20%). With a total of 317 surgical procedures, 198 (62%) were autologous reconstructions; 88 (44%) foregut, 100 (51%) midgut, and 10 (5%) hindgut. An interposition alimentary conduit was used in 7 (6%) patients. Reversal of BS was indicated in 84 (72%) and intestinal lengthening was required in 10 (9%). Cumulative patient survival was 96% at 1 year, 84% at 5 years, and 72% at 15 years. Nutritional autonomy was restored in 83% of current survivors with persistence or relapse of obesity in 23%. CONCLUSIONS: GF is a rare but serious life-threatening complication after BS. Successful outcome is achievable with comprehensive management, including reconstructive surgery and visceral transplantation.

Mortality of intra-abdominal desmoid tumors in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis: a single center review of 154 patients.

INTRODUCTION: Intra-abdominal desmoid tumors are one of the leading causes of death in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis. Their behavior is unpredictable and their biology is poorly understood, accounting for the lack of a standardized medical and surgical approach. The aim of this study was to evaluate the mortality rate of patients with intra-abdominal desmoid tumors and to identify prognostic factors for the evolution of the disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 154 patients with intra-abdominal desmoid tumors were included in the study. Each tumor was staged and each patient was categorized according to the stage of their most advanced tumor. Mortality was analyzed and the univariate risk factors associated with survival were included in a multivariable Cox regression model. A scoring system was derived from the multivariate analysis to refine outcomes within stages. RESULTS: Five-year survival of patients with stage I, II, III, and IV intra-abdominal desmoid tumor were 95%, 100%, 89%, and 76% respectively (P < 0.001). Severe pain/narcotic dependency, tumor size larger than 10 cm, and need for total parenteral nutrition were shown to further define survival within stages. Five-year survival rate of stage IV patient with all of the above-mentioned risk factors was only 53%. CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirmed the validity of the staging system to predict mortality in patients with intra-abdominal desmoid tumors and identified additional risk factors able to better define the risk of death within each stage. Risk stratification is crucial in directing patients with advanced disease and poor prognosis to the most appropriate medical and surgical options.

Comparison of pre-intestinal transplant and posttransplant sarcopenia and visceral adiposity measurements using computed tomography in the diagnosis of malnutrition during a nutrition-focused physical examination.

BACKGROUND: Registered dietitian nutritionists subjectively assess muscle loss as part of the nutrition-focused physical examination (NFPE), using guidelines to standardize malnutrition diagnosis. Computed tomography (CT) scans provide an objective measure of skeletal muscle mass and abdominal wall and visceral adipose tissue and can be used to determine skeletal muscle loss. METHODS: In this retrospective review, our team compared muscle measurements including the psoas, paraspinal muscles, and abdominal wall muscle area at the level of the third lumbar vertebral body (using CT)-as well as visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue measurements-before and after gut transplant with the malnutrition diagnosis found on the NFPE. We also examined the association between CT measurements and postoperative infection, length of stay, and mortality. RESULTS: Forty-two patients were included in the study. Adipose tissue measurements on CT analysis were significantly lower in the malnutrition group compared with those without malnutrition (P ≤ 0.05) in both the pretransplant and posttransplant groups. Skeletal muscle size measurements were not significantly associated with malnutrition, but when adjusted for patients' height by calculating skeletal muscle index, an association between low skeletal muscle index scores and malnutrition diagnosis was found (P = 0.026). Pretransplant malnutrition diagnosis did not predict infection, length of stay, or mortality. CONCLUSION: Objective assessment of subcutaneous adipose tissue by CT analysis was significantly correlated with the subjective assessment of malnutrition by NFPE in both pretransplant and posttransplant patients. Skeletal muscle index scores were significantly lower in pretransplant patients who were diagnosed with malnutrition.

Nutrition Management of the High-Output Fistulae.

Enterocutaneous fistulae (ECFs) are commonly encountered complications in medical and surgical practice. High-output fistulae are associated with significant morbidity and mortality, poor quality of life, and a substantial healthcare burden. An interdisciplinary team approach is crucial to prevent and mitigate the adverse clinical consequences of high-output ECFs including sepsis, metabolic derangements, and malnutrition. Patients with ECFs are at a significantly higher risk of developing malnutrition and close monitoring by nutrition support professionals and/or a nutrition support team is an essential component of their medical management. High-output ECFs often require the initiation of nutrition support through either enteral or parenteral routes. Historically, parenteral nutrition (PN) has been the primary method of nutrition support in these patients. However, oral and enteral nutrition (EN) should remain viable options if an evaluation of the location of the ECF, amount of remaining functional bowel, and volume of ECF output identifies favorable conditions. Additionally, in contrast to PN, oral nutrition and EN are the preferred method of feeding because of the maintenance of the structural and functional integrity of the gastrointestinal tract. The inclusion of pharmacological interventions can greatly assist with the reduction and stabilization of ECF output and thereby permit sustained enteral feeding. Initiation of supplemental or full PN will be required if oral nutrition and EN lead to metabolic derangements, fail to meet energy requirements, or do not maintain or improve the patient's nutrition status. The main focus of this review is to discuss the nutrition management of patients with high-output ECFs.

Characteristics of adult patients with chronic intestinal failure due to short bowel syndrome: An international multicenter survey.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The case-mix of patients with intestinal failure due to short bowel syndrome (SBS-IF) can differ among centres and may also be affected by the timeframe of data collection. Therefore, the ESPEN international multicenter cross-sectional survey was analyzed to compare the characteristics of SBS-IF cohorts collected within the same timeframe in different countries. METHODS: The study included 1880 adult SBS-IF patients collected in 2015 by 65 centres from 22 countries. The demographic, nutritional, SBS type (end jejunostomy, SBS-J; jejuno-colic anastomosis, SBS-JC; jejunoileal anastomosis with an intact colon and ileocecal valve, SBS-JIC), underlying disease and intravenous supplementation (IVS) characteristics were analyzed. IVS was classified as fluid and electrolyte alone (FE) or parenteral nutrition admixture (PN). The mean daily IVS volume, calculated on a weekly basis, was categorized as <1, 1-2, 2-3 and >3 L/day. RESULTS: In the entire group: 60.7% were females and SBS-J comprised 60% of cases, while mesenteric ischaemia (MI) and Crohn' disease (CD) were the main underlying diseases. IVS dependency was longer than 3 years in around 50% of cases; IVS was infused ≥5 days/week in 75% and FE in 10% of cases. Within the SBS-IF cohort: CD was twice and thrice more frequent in SBS-J than SBS-JC and SBS-JIC, respectively, while MI was more frequent in SBS-JC and SBS-JIC. Within countries: SBS-J represented 75% or more of patients in UK and Denmark and 50-60% in the other countries, except Poland where SBS-JC prevailed. CD was the main underlying disease in UK, USA, Denmark and The Netherlands, while MI prevailed in France, Italy and Poland. CONCLUSIONS: SBS-IF type is primarily determined by the underlying disease, with significant variation between countries. These novel data will be useful for planning and managing both clinical activity and research studies on SBS.

Parenteral Nutrition Instead of Early Reoperation in the Management of Early Postoperative Small Bowel Obstruction.

BACKGROUND: In majority of patients, early postoperative small bowel obstruction (EPSBO) resolves with nasogastric decompression and bowel rest alone, while in some patients, symptoms persist without urgent indications for surgery. The purpose of this study was the evaluation of home parenteral nutrition (HPN) instead of elective surgery as an initial approach to persistent EPSBO. METHODS: Patients developing EPSBO prescribed HPN without reoperation within 6 weeks after index intestinal surgery were identified from an institutional HPN registry and retrospectively compared with patients undergoing reoperation for EPSBO within the same time period. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients for the HPN group and 27 patients in elective reoperative (REOP) group met the inclusion criteria. In the HPN group, mean interval between surgery and PN initiation was 11 days. HPN duration ranged from 17 to 244 days with a median of 60 days. Thirty-one patients (91%) successfully recovered bowel function and resumed enteral nutrition without reoperation, while 3 patients required reoperation > 6 weeks after index surgery due to HPN failure. In the REOP group, mean interval between index surgery and reoperation was 17 days. At reoperation, 12 patients required bowel resection, 5 having incidental enterotomies, and 3 required new stoma creation. Postoperatively, 2 patients developed enterocutaneous fistulas, 1 experienced an anastomotic leak, and another had fascial dehiscence. CONCLUSION: HPN is a safe alternative to elective surgery in clinically stable patients with persistent EPSBO. This approach avoids hazardous reoperation during the recovery phase when adhesions are at their worst.

[ASPEN-FELANPE Clinical Guidelines: Nutrition Support of Adult Patients with Enterocutaneous Fistula]. / Guías Clínicas ASPEN-FELANPE: Terapia Nutricional en Pacientes Adultos con Fístulas Enterocutáneas.

INTRODUCTION: Background: the management of patients with enterocutaneous fistula (ECF) requires an interdisciplinary approach and poses a significant challenge to surgeons, gastroenterologists, intensivists, wound/stoma care specialists, and nutrition support clinicians. Available guidelines for optimizing nutritional status in these patients are often vague, based on limited and dated clinical studies, and typically rely on individual or institutional experience. Specific nutrient requirements, appropriate route of feeding, role of immune-enhancing nutrients, and use of somatostatin analogs in the management of patients with ECF remain a challenge for the clinician. The purpose of this clinical guideline is to develop recommendations for the nutritional care of adult patients with ECF. Methods: a systematic review of the best available evidence to answer a series of questions regarding clinical management of adults with ECF was undertaken and evaluated using concepts adopted from the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) Working Group. An anonymous consensus process was used to develop the clinical guideline recommendations prior to peer review and approval by the A.S.P.E.N. and FELANPE Board of Directors. Questions: in adult patients with enterocutaneous fistula: 1) What factors best describe nutritional status? 2) What is the preferred route of nutritional therapy (oral diet, EN or PN)? 3) What protein and energy intake provide best clinical outcomes? 4) Is fistuloclysis associated with better outcomes than standard care? 5) Are immune-enhancing nutrients associated with better outcomes? 6) Does the use of somatostatin provide better outcomes than standard medical therapy? 7) When is home parenteral nutrition support indicated?

INTRODUCCIÓN: Introducción: el manejo de las fístulas enterocutáneas (FEC) es un reto que requiere enfoque interdisciplinario y plantea un desafío importante. Las guías para optimizar el estado nutricional en estos pacientes están basadas en estudios que dependen de la experiencia individual y, ocasionalmente, institucional; que se focalizan en el tratamiento integral de las FEC, centrándose en el manejo médico y quirúrgico, mientras que la terapia nutricional se revisa solo superficialmente. Los requerimientos nutricionales, vía de administración, uso de inmunonutrición y de análogos de la somatostatina en el tratamiento de estos pacientes no están bien definidos. El objetivo de esta guía es desarrollar recomendaciones específicas para la terapia nutricional de los pacientes adultos con FEC. Método: revisión sistemática de la mejor evidencia disponible para responder a una serie de preguntas sobre la terapia nutricional de los adultos con FEC, evaluada utilizando la metodología GRADE. Se utilizó un proceso de consenso anónimo para desarrollar las recomendaciones de la guía clínica antes de la revisión por pares y la aprobación por las Juntas Directivas de ASPEN y FELANPE. Preguntas: 1) ¿Qué factores describen mejor el estado nutricional de los adultos con FEC? 2) ¿Cuál es la mejor vía para administrar la terapia nutricional (oral, nutrición enteral o parenteral)? 3) ¿Qué aporte energético y proteico proporciona mejores resultados clínicos? 4) ¿El uso de la fistuloclisis se asocia a mejores resultados? 5) ¿Las fórmulas inmunomoduladoras se asocian a mejores resultados? 6) ¿El uso de la somatostatina proporciona mejores resultados? 7) ¿Cuándo está indicada la terapia nutricional parenteral domiciliaria?

Home parenteral nutrition provision modalities for chronic intestinal failure in adult patients: An international survey.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The safety and effectiveness of a home parenteral nutrition (HPN) program depends both on the expertise and the management approach of the HPN center. We aimed to evaluate both the approaches of different international HPN-centers in their provision of HPN and the types of intravenous supplementation (IVS)-admixtures prescribed to patients with chronic intestinal failure (CIF). METHODS: In March 2015, 65 centers from 22 countries enrolled 3239 patients (benign disease 90.1%, malignant disease 9.9%), recording the patient, CIF and HPN characteristics in a structured database. The HPN-provider was categorized as health care system local pharmacy (LP) or independent home care company (HCC). The IVS-admixture was categorized as fluids and electrolytes alone (FE) or parenteral nutrition, either commercially premixed (PA) or customized to the individual patient (CA), alone or plus extra FE (PAFE or CAFE). Doctors of HPN centers were responsible for the IVS prescriptions. RESULTS: HCC (66%) was the most common HPN provider, with no difference noted between benign-CIF and malignant-CIF. LP was the main modality in 11 countries; HCC prevailed in 4 European countries: Israel, USA, South America and Oceania (p < 0.001). IVS-admixture comprised: FE 10%, PA 17%, PAFE 17%, CA 38%, CAFE 18%. PA and PAFE prevailed in malignant-CIF while CA and CAFE use was greater in benign-CIF (p < 0.001). PA + PAFE prevailed in those countries where LP was the main HPN-provider and CA + CAFE prevailed where the main HPN-provider was HCC (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to demonstrate that HPN provision and the IVS-admixture differ greatly among countries, among HPN centers and between benign-CIF and cancer-CIF. As both HPN provider and IVS-admixture types may play a role in the safety and effectiveness of HPN therapy, criteria to homogenize HPN programs are needed so that patients can have equal access to optimal CIF care.

Collaborative strategies to reduce mortality and morbidity in patients with chronic intestinal failure including those who are referred for small bowel transplantation.

UNLABELLED: Intestinal transplant wait-list mortality is higher than for other organ transplants. The objective of this workshop was to identify the main problems contributing to high mortality in adults and children candidates for intestinal transplantation and provide recommendations on how to correct them. OUTCOME: To facilitate this, 63 relevant articles identified from the medical literature from 1987 to 2007 were reviewed. Consensus was achieved on several important definitions relevant to this review. For children and adults on parenteral nutrition (PN) the main mortality risk factors were identified as were the main risks of mortality for those on the waiting list for intestinal transplants. RECOMMENDATIONS: (1) Primary care givers managing intestinal failure patients should establish a link with an intestinal failure programs early and collaboration with intestinal failure programs should be initiated for patients whose PN requirements are anticipated to be more than 50% 3 months after initiating PN; (2) intestinal failure programs should include both intestinal rehabilitation and intestinal transplantation or have active collaborative relationships with centers performing intestinal transplantation; (3) National registries for intestinal failure patients should be established and organizations that provide home PN solutions should be expected to participate. CONCLUSION: There are many unresolved issues in adults and children with PN dependent intestinal failure. To address these, a key recommendation of this group is to establish national intestinal failure databases that can support multicenter studies and lead to the adoption of universally accepted standards of patient care with the goal of improving outcomes in all long-term intestinal failure patients including those requiring intestinal transplantation.

Early History of Home Parenteral Nutrition: From Hospital to Home.

Technologic advances in the past century have led to the ability to safely deliver parenteral nutrition (PN) to hospitalized patients. Key breakthroughs included the development of saline and glucose infusions, infusion pumps, macronutrients (lipids, dextrose, and amino acids), and central venous catheters. In the 1960s, centrally delivered PN was performed in short-term hospitalized patients by Lincoln James Lawson (North Staffordshire Royal Infirmatory, United Kingdom) and long-term patients by Stanley Dudrick (University of Pennsylvania, United States). These early studies showed that a system was needed that would allow patients with intestinal failure to be discharged from the hospital and receive home PN (HPN). In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Belding Scribner, Maurice Shils, Khursheed Jeejeebhoy, Marvin Ament, Dudrick, and their teams discharged patients from the hospital who then self-administered HPN. Shortly after these early cases of HPN, multidisciplinary centers were established first in North America, and later in Europe, to manage these complex cases. The current article describes the patients treated by these early HPN pioneers, in addition to subsequent case series reported by them and others.

Nutrition Management of Home Parenteral Nutrition Among Patients With Enterocutaneous Fistula in the Sustain Registry.

BACKGROUND: Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) is a vital therapy for patients who have the diagnosis of enterocutaneous fistula (ECF), yet little is known about how these patients are managed. This research compares nutrition management of adults with ECF as the indication for HPN therapy to those with other indications. METHODS: This is an analysis of data from adult HPN patients in the Sustain registry enrolled between August 2011 and February 2014 who have the diagnosis of ECF or other indication for HPN who served as the control group. Differences between the ECF and control group were assessed by t test, analysis of variance, or χ2 as appropriate. RESULTS: There were 141 HPN patients with ECF and 632 control patients. Patients with ECF were older (55 vs 50 years, P < .001), more frequently had a goal for future surgery (30% vs 15%, P = .010), had greater prevalence of overweight/obesity (33% vs 20%, P = .04), and had a lower serum albumin (2.98 ± 0.65 g/dL vs 3.16 ± 0.66 g/dL, P = .006) than controls. The diet order was more frequently nil per os (NPO) in patients with ECF (48% vs 22%, P < .001), and amino acid content of HPN was greater (111.90 ± 29.11 vs 102.06 ± 27.84, P < .001) than in controls. There were no differences in patterns of weight change by ECF or control groups, although underweight patients gained, normal-weight patients maintained, and overweight/obese patients lost weight and serum albumin increased similarly. CONCLUSIONS: The HPN management of patients with ECF is similar to other HPN patients other than greater provision of protein, more frequent NPO status, and a goal for future surgery.

Jonathan E Rhoads lecture: experiences and observations in the management of patients with short bowel syndrome.

In an era before parenteral nutrition (PN) was made practical by Stanley Dudrick, MD, and his colleagues, patients with prolonged intestinal dysfunction or short bowel syndrome would often die of malnutrition or its sequelae. Over the past 4 decades, the treatment of patients with short bowel syndrome had progressed from PN in the hospital to small bowel transplantation. Multimodal therapies have evolved in the management of these patients, including specialized diets and enteral supplements, oral rehydration fluids, antisecretory medication, and the use of growth factors. Home PN is lifesaving when these modalities are ineffective and a surgical procedure to restore or enhance gastrointestinal tract length or absorptive potential is impossible. Small intestine transplantation had been used to salvage those patients who developed life-threatening complications of home PN, but as the survival after intestinal transplant has approached that of liver transplantation, it may soon be considered as primary therapy for patients with short bowel syndrome. This article presents the author's experiences and observations after a 4-decade experience in the management of patients with short bowel syndrome.

Tip position of long-term central venous access devices used for parenteral nutrition.

BACKGROUND: Venous thrombosis is a potential postplacement complication of a central venous access device (VAD). Improper catheter tip position is a predisposing factor, especially when the device is used to administer parenteral nutrition (PN). American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.) guidelines recommend that a central VAD used for PN be placed with its tip in the superior vena cava (SVC) adjacent to the right atrium (RA). The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of improper central VAD tip position and factors associated with malpositioning. METHODS: All adult patients with a longterm VAD (ie, tunneled central venous catheter, peripherally inserted central catheter [PICC], or implanted port) placed before the current admission who were scheduled to receive PN also received chest x-rays to evaluate position of the catheter tip. Position was determined by a staff radiologist. A catheter with its tip ranging from the middle third of the SVC to the RA was considered acceptable; a catheter with its tip in any other position was considered malpositioned. Subjects with multiple VADs or multiple evaluations for the same catheter had the first placement and last evaluation considered. A logistic regression analysis was used to study the univariable and multivariable associations of these factors with tip malposition. RESULTS: Data were collected for catheters in 124 patients, including 74 tunneled catheters (71 Hickman, 2 Broviac, 1 Groshong), 38 PICCs, and implanted ports. Most of the catheters were placed for (81.9%) or chemotherapy (14.5%). Median catheter duration was 1.6 months at time of evaluation. Of 138 catheters studied, 15.9% (95% confidence interval, 10.2-23.1) were malpositioned at time of evaluation. According to univariable analysis, factors associated with malpositioned catheters included shorter catheter duration (p = .001), greater number of lumens (p = .029), venous entry site on the arm (p <.001) and catheters placed at institutions other than Cleveland Clinic (p = .007). Additionally, PICCs were likely to be malpositioned at time of evaluation compared with other long-term VADs combined (34.2% vs 9.0%; p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: A high percentage of long-term VADs improperly positioned for PN in the present study. were more likely to be malpositioned at time of evaluation compared with tunneled catheters and implanted These findings suggest the tip position of long-term should be confirmed before infusing PN.

Thirty-Day Readmission Rate Is High for Hospitalized Patients Discharged With Home Parenteral Nutrition or Intravenous Fluids.

BACKGROUND: Reducing hospital readmissions decreases healthcare costs and improves quality of care. There are no published studies examining the rate of, and risk factors for, 30-day readmissions for patients discharged with home parenteral support (HPS). OBJECTIVE: Determine the rate of 30-day readmissions for patients discharged with HPS and whether malnutrition and other demographic or clinical factors increase the risk. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of patients discharged with HPS from the Cleveland Clinic between July 1, 2013, and June 30, 2014, and followed by the Cleveland Clinic Home Nutrition Support Service. RESULTS: Of the 224 patients studied, 31.6% (n = 71) had unplanned readmissions within 30 days of hospital discharge. Of these, 21.1% (n = 15) were HPS related, with catheter-related bloodstream infection (n = 5) and dehydration (n = 5) the most common. The majority of patients (84.4%) were diagnosed with malnutrition, but the presence or degree did not influence the readmission rate ( P = .41). According to univariable analysis, patients with an ostomy ( P = .037), a small bowel resection ( P = .002), a higher HPS volume at discharge ( P < .001), and a shorter period between HPS consult and hospital discharge ( P < .026) had a lower risk of 30-day readmission than their counterparts. On multivariable analysis, patients had a higher risk of 30-day readmission if they had a history of heart disease ( P = .048) and for every 1-unit increase in white blood cells ( P = .026). CONCLUSIONS: Patients discharged with HPS have a high 30-day readmission rate, although most readmissions were not related to the HPS itself. The presence and degree of malnutrition were not associated with 30-day readmissions.

Expediting Transition to Home Parenteral Nutrition With Fast-Track Cycling.

BACKGROUND: Delivery of home parenteral nutrition (PN) is typically cycled over 12 hours. Discharge to home on PN is often delayed due to potential adverse events (AEs) associated with cycling PN. The purpose was to determine whether patients requiring long-term PN can be cycled from 24 hours to 12 hours in 1 day instead of 2 days without increasing the risk of PN-related AEs. METHODS: Hospitalized patients receiving PN at goal calories infused over 24 hours without severe electrolyte or blood glucose abnormalities were eligible. Patients were randomly assigned to a 1-step "fast-track" protocol or 2-step "standard" protocol. AEs were defined as hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia, new-onset or worsening dyspnea, tachycardia, tachypnea, lower extremity or sacral edema, pulmonary edema, or abdominal ascites and were graded as minor or major. RESULTS: In the 63 patients studied, the most prevalent PN-related AE was hyperglycemia, occurring in 24.2% and 30.0% of patients in the fast-track and standard groups, respectively. Overall, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of PN-related minor AEs between fast-track and standard groups (33.3% and 53.3%, P = .5). No major PN-related AEs occurred in the fast-track group, while 1 major PN-related AE (pulmonary edema) occurred in the standard group. CONCLUSIONS: Fast-track cycling is as safe as standard cycling in patients without diabetes mellitus or major organ dysfunction requiring long-term PN. Fast-track cycling could potentially expedite hospital discharge, resulting in decreased healthcare costs and improved patient satisfaction.

Treating Dehydration at Home Avoids Healthcare Costs Associated With Emergency Department Visits and Hospital Readmissions for Adult Patients Receiving Home Parenteral Support.

BACKGROUND: Administration of home parenteral support (HPS) has proven to be cost-effective over hospital care. Avoiding hospital readmissions became more of a focus for healthcare institutions in 2012 with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. In 2010, our service developed a protocol to treat dehydration at home for HPS patients by ordering additional intravenous fluids to be kept on hand and to focus patient education on the symptoms of dehydration. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was completed through a clinical management database to identify HPS patients with dehydration. The hospital finance department and homecare pharmacy were utilized to determine potential cost avoidance. RESULTS: In 2009, 64 episodes (77%) of dehydration were successfully treated at home versus 6 emergency department (ED) visits (7.5%) and 13 readmissions (15.5%). In 2010, we successfully treated 170 episodes (84.5%) at home, with 9 episodes (4.5%) requiring ED visits and 22 hospital readmissions (11%). The number of dehydration episodes per patient was significantly higher in 2010 ( P < .001) and may be attributed to a shift in the patient population, with more patients having malabsorption as the indication for therapy in 2010 ( P = .003). CONCLUSION: There were more than twice as many episodes of dehydration identified and treated at home in 2010 versus 2009. Our protocol helped educate and provide the resources required to resolve dehydration at home when early signs were recognized. By reducing ED visits and hospital readmissions, healthcare costs were avoided by a factor of 29 when home treatment was successful.