Evaluation of cancer drug infusion devices prior to the implementation of a compounding robot.

INTRODUCTION: Compounding robots are increasingly being implemented in hospital pharmacies. In our hospital, the recent acquisition of a robot (RIVATM, ARxIUM) for intravenous cancer drug compounding obliged us to replace the previously used infusion devices. The objective of the present study was to assess and qualify the new intravenous sets prior to their use in our hospital and prior to the implementation of the compounding robot. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The ChemoLockTM (ICU Medical) was compared with the devices used previously for compounding (BD PhaSealTM, Becton-Dickinson) and infusion (Connect-ZTM, Codan Medical). The connection/disconnection of infusion devices to/from 50 mL infusion bags was tested with a dynamometer (Multitest-i, Mecmesin). Leakage contamination was visualized by a methylene blue assay and was quantified in simulated pump infusions with 20 mg/mL quinine sulfate (N = 36/group); after the analytical assay had been validated, quinine was detected by UV-spectrophotometry at 280 and 330 nm. Groups were compared using chi-squared or Mann-Whitney U tests. RESULTS: The connection/disconnection test showed that although all the devices complied with the current standard, there was a statistically significant difference in the mean ± standard deviation compression force (51.5 ± 11.6 for the Connect-ZTM vs. 60.3 ± 11.7 for the ChemoLockTM; p = 0.0005). Leaks were detected in 32 (29.1%) of the 110 tests of the ChemoLockTM. The contamination rates were also significantly different: 13.9% for the BD PhaSealTM versus 75.0% for the ChemoLockTM; p < 0.0001). DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Our results showed that the new infusion device complied with current standards. However, the presence of contamination emphasizes the need for operators to use the recommended personal protective equipment. Further studies of contamination with cancer drugs are required.

Four-year follow-up of surface contamination by antineoplastic drugs in a compounding unit.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to monitor the contamination by antineoplastic drugs on work surfaces in a compounding unit 4 years after its implementation. METHODS: This descriptive study was done in a unit performing on average 45 000 preparations per year. Surface sampling points (N=23) were monitored monthly in the frame of routine activity from the opening of an anticancer drug compounding unit. Contamination with nine antineoplastic drugs (cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, dacarbazine, 5-fluorouracil, methotrexate, gemcitabine, cytarabine, irinotecan and doxorubicin) was assessed on wipes with a local liquid chromatography coupled with a tandem mass spectrometer analysis. The contamination rate (CR, %) was prospectively monitored every month during the entire study period. The occurrence of critical incidents was also registered. The effect of each safety measure implemented during this period was also analysed. RESULTS: Based on the 1104 samples collected between March 2016 and March 2020, the CR was 18.5%. If three different critical incidents among a vial breakage that occurred were individually considered, this CR was slightly lower than that in the literature. Eight months after opening and taking different corrective actions, the overall CR dropped from 42.39% to 11.52% (p<0.001). Contamination was limited to the area that includes the compounding room and, more precisely, the welder and the QC-Prep+ sampling points. CONCLUSIONS: From the beginning of the study and from month to month, surface contamination was limited to the nearest sampling points to the compounding unit. This 4-year monitoring study allowed us to determine the intravenous conventional antineoplastic drugs and sampling points to be focused on.

Perception, knowledge, practices and training regarding the risk of exposure to antineoplastic drugs in three French compounding units.

INTRODUCTION: Healthcare workers are exposed to hazardous drugs such as antineoplastic drugs, which have potential carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic effects. Protective measures must be taken after appropriate staff training to handle antineoplastic drugs in a safe way. The objective was to assess perception, knowledge, practices and training regarding the risk of exposure of healthcare workers in three French compounding units. METHODS: This descriptive study was based on a questionnaire made of 33 questions divided into five sections related to the handling of antineoplastic drugs: perception of the risks, knowledge of the risks, protection practices, specific training and general questions. RESULTS: Among the 39 participants, over half considered their overall risk of exposure to antineoplastic drugs not being very low. Inhalation was known to 69.2% of them as possible route of contamination. The breakroom was identified by 28.9% of them as a place of contamination. The procedure in case of accidental exposure to antineoplastic drugs was known by 69.2%, but only half could explain it. Only 38.5% said they changed their gloves every 30 min as recommended. Barely half said that they had been trained specifically for the handling of antineoplastic drugs during an initial training. Over half wished to be informed, trained and aware of the proper handling of antineoplastic drugs. CONCLUSION: Although some of these results are encouraging, specifically when compared to the other settings where antineoplastic drugs are handled, there is still room for improvement. Efforts to build an adapted and impactful training program must pursue. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Study CONTACT, ref. 19-504.

Knowledge and practices about safe handling regarding the risk of exposure to antineoplastic drugs for caregivers in compounding units and in operating rooms performing HIPEC/PIPAC.

INTRODUCTION: Ever since the late 1970s, occupational exposure associated with the handling of antineoplastic drugs (ADs) in the healthcare environment has been highlighted and demonstrated. Contamination was detected in both operating rooms (OR) and compounding units (CU), where healthcare workers handle and are exposed to ADs in different ways. In the OR, the risk of exposure is higher and the staff receives less training in handling ADs than in the CU. This study aimed to assess and compare knowledge and practices about the safe handling of ADs by caregivers working in these two locations, namely the CU and OR. METHODS: Two questionnaires (one each for the OR and CU) were created by two investigator pharmacists and were completed during a personal interview of 20 min. The questions were related to the following topics: training, knowledge about occupational exposure and questions related to protective practices. A scoring system was implemented to assess the knowledge and practices of each participant. RESULTS: In total, 38 caregivers working in the OR and 39 in the CU were included in our study. Significantly more CU staff had specific initial training (p < 0.001) and ongoing training (p < 0.001) in handling ADs. Concerning the knowledge score, OR caregivers had a significantly lower median score for contamination routes (p < 0.001), contamination surfaces (p < 0.001), existing procedures (p < 0.001) and total knowledge (p < 0.001) than CU caregivers. Concerning protective handling practices of ADs, the two locations had nonsignificantly different median scores (p = 0.892). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that there is still room for improvement in terms of knowledge and protection practices when handling ADs. An appropriate and tailored training program should be developed and provided to all caregivers who handle or come in contact with ADs.Clinical trial registrationStudy CONTACT, ref. 19-504.

Long-term physicochemical stability of 5-fluorouracil at selected standardised rounded doses in polyolefin bags.

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy doses are usually prescribed on the basis of body surface area but dose banding is emerging as an efficient alternative. Dose banding presents the possibility of in-advance preparation in a Centralized Intravenous Admixture Service. AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the long-term stability of 5-fluorouracil at banded doses (700 mg and 800 mg) in polyolefin bags. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten polyolefin bags were prepared under aseptic conditions and stored at 23 ± 2°C for 24 days. Five of them were composed of 14 mL 5-fluorocuracil (700 g) in 100 mL 0.9% sodium chloride solution and the five other of 16 mL 5-fluorouracil (800 mg) in 100 mL 0.9% sodium chloride solution. At defined times, physical stability parameters were assessed: optical densities, pH measurements, visual and microscopical inspections. Solutions concentrations were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a photodiode array detector. RESULTS: No change was observed on pH and optical density measurements during the study period. Visual and microscopical inspections remained free of colour change, precipitate, microagregate or crystal. The concentrations of 5-Fluorouracil in 800 mg bags remained stable for 24 days while the concentration in 700 mg bags showed a stability of at least 17 days. CONCLUSION: Five-fluorouracil at banded doses of 700 and 800 mg in polyolefin bags is physicochemically stable for at least 17 days at 23 ± 2°C. These results support the possibility of in advance centralised preparation.

Impact of Defibrotide in the Prevention of Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease Following Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Defibrotide is indicated for patients who develop severe sinusoidal obstructive syndrome following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT). Preclinical data suggested that defibrotide carries a prophylactic effect against acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of defibrotide on the incidence and severity of aGVHD. METHODS: This single-center retrospective study included all consecutive transplanted patients between January 2014 and December 2018. A propensity score based on 10 predefined confounders was used to estimate the effect of defibrotide on aGVHD via inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW). RESULTS: Of the 482 included patients, 64 received defibrotide (defibrotide group) and 418 did not (control group). Regarding main patient characteristics and transplantation modalities, the two groups were comparable, except for a predominance of men in the defibrotide group. The median age was 55 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 40-62). Patients received allo-HCT from HLA-matched related donor (28.6%), HLA-matched unrelated donor (50.8%), haplo-identical donor (13.4%), or mismatched unrelated donor (7.0%). Stem cell source was either bone marrow (49.6%) or peripheral blood (50.4%). After using IPTW, exposure to defibrotide was not significantly associated with occurrence of aGVHD (HR = 0.97; 95% CI 0.62-1.52; P = .9) or occurrence of severe aGVHD (HR = 1.89, 95% CI: 0.98-3.66; P = .058). CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: Defibrotide does not seem to have a protective effect on aGVHD in patients undergoing allo-HCT. Based on what has been reported to date and on these results, defibrotide should not be considered for the prevention of aGVHD outside clinical trials.

Tranexamic acid dose-response relationship for antifibrinolysis in postpartum haemorrhage during Caesarean delivery: TRACES, a double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre, dose-ranging biomarker study.

BACKGROUND: The optimal dose of tranexamic acid to inhibit hyperfibrinolysis in postpartum haemorrhage is unclear. Tranexamic Acid to Reduce Blood Loss in Hemorrhagic Cesarean Delivery (TRACES) was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised, multicentre dose-ranging study to determine the dose-effect relationship for two regimens of intravenous tranexamic acid vs placebo. METHODS: Women experiencing postpartum haemorrhage during Caesarean delivery were randomised to receive placebo (n=60), tranexamic acid 0.5 g (n=57), or tranexamic acid 1 g i.v. (n=58). Biomarkers of fibrinolytic activation were assayed at five time points, with inhibition of hyperfibrinolysis defined as reductions in the increase over baseline in D-dimer and plasmin-antiplasmin levels and in the plasmin peak time. RESULTS: In the placebo group, hyperfibrinolysis was evidenced by a mean increase over baseline [95% confidence interval] of 93% [68-118] for D-dimer level at 120 min and 56% [25-87] for the plasmin-antiplasmin level at 30 min. A dose of tranexamic acid 1 g was associated with smaller increases over baseline (D-dimers: 38% [13-63] [P=0.003 vs placebo]; plasmin-antiplasmin: -2% [-32 to 28] [P=0.009 vs placebo]). A dose of tranexamic acid 0.5 g was less potent, with non-significant reductions (D-dimers: 58% [32-84] [P=0.06 vs placebo]; plasmin-antiplasmin: 13% [18-43] [P=0.051]). Although both tranexamic acid doses reduced the plasmin peak, reduction in plasmin peak time was significant only for the 1 g dose of tranexamic acid. CONCLUSIONS: Fibrinolytic activation was significantly inhibited by a dose of intravenous tranexamic acid 1 g but not 0.5 g. Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modelling of these data might identify the best pharmacodynamic monitoring criteria and the optimal tranexamic acid dosing regimen for treatment of postpartum haemorrhage. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02797119.

Perception, knowledge, and handling practice regarding the risk of exposure to antineoplastic drugs in oncology day hospitalization units and compounding unit staff.

BACKGROUND: Antineoplastic drug exposure is a major problem in regard to caregivers' health. The aim of the present study was to assess the perception, knowledge, and handling practices of all occupation level categories of two oncology day hospitalization units and two compounding units regarding the risk of exposure to antineoplastic drugs. METHODS: This descriptive study, performed through face-to-face interviews, concurrently assessed the perception, knowledge, and handling practices of antineoplastic drugs in five different job categories in four different settings. This work was part of a larger comprehensive project examining surface and blood contamination. Different scores were assigned to evaluate responses to a questionnaire about the perception, knowledge, and handling practices of healthcare workers, a risk global score including a risk perception score, and education/knowledge and handling practices scores. RESULTS: In the survey, continuous training was associated with the global risk score (p = 0.03), particularly with the handling practices risk score (p = 0.01). Job category was also significantly associated with the global risk score (p < 0.001), particularly with the handling practices risk score (p < 0.001) and the education/knowledge score (p < 0.001). Pharmacy technicians had the highest score regarding risk perception (71.4%), indicating a higher perception of risk, and had a lower score regarding handling practices (25.0%) as well as a lower score (15.7%) regarding risk knowledge. Nurses and physicians had a high score (50%) regarding the risk of handling practices and a score of 57.1% regarding risk perception, indicating an increased perception of safety. Auxiliary caregivers had the highest global score (43.5%) and a score of 30.0% regarding handling practices. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified significant differences among healthcare workers depending on job categories in the antineoplastic drug handling practices and in the knowledge of the risks associated with occupational exposure to antineoplastic drugs. These differences were particularly important between trained and untrained participants, revealing the importance of implementing a continuous training program.

Safe and Efficient Sigma1 Ligand: A Potential Drug Candidate for Multiple Sclerosis.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune demyelinating and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Current management strategies suppress or modulate immune function, all with consequences and known side effects. They demonstrate a high level of success in limiting new relapses. However, the neurodegenerative process still affects both grey and white matter in the central nervous system. The sigma1 (S1R) ligand-regulated chaperone is implicated in many biological processes in various CNS-targeted diseases, acting on neural plasticity, myelination and neuroinflammation. Among the proteins involved in MS, S1R has therefore emerged as a promising new target. Standard and robust methods have been adopted to analyze the adsorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion (ADME) properties, safety pharmacology and toxicology of a previously synthetized simple benzamide-derived compound with nanomolar affinity for S1R, high selectivity, no cytotoxicity and good metabolic stability. The compound was also characterized as an agonist based on well-validated assays prior to in vivo investigations. Interestingly, we found that the oral administration of this compound resulted in an overall significant reduction in clinical progression in an MS experimental model. This effect is mediated through S1R action. Our results further suggest the potential use of this compound in the treatment of MS.

Strategies to prevent drug incompatibility during simultaneous multi-drug infusion in intensive care units: a literature review.

PURPOSE: Drug protocols in intensive care units may require the concomitant administration of many drugs as patients' venous accesses are often limited. A major challenge for clinicians is to limit the risk of simultaneously infusing incompatible drugs. Incompatibilities can lead to the formation of particles and inactivation of drugs, whose consequences on the body have already been indicated. Our objective was to assess current strategies to counter the risk of incompatible infusions and control the resulting clinical consequences. METHODS: This review was independently conducted by three investigators in respect of the PRISMA statement. Three online databases were consulted. Full-text articles, notes, or letters written in English or French, published or in press between the 1990s and the end of February 2020, with clinical study design, were eligible. Parameters of interest were mainly number and size of particles, and a number of observed/avoided incompatibilities. RESULTS: All in all, 382 articles were screened, 17 meeting all the acceptance criteria. The strategies outlined and assessed were filtration, the use of multi-lumen devices, the purging of infusion lines, incompatibility tables and databases, and the use of standard operating procedures. CONCLUSION: Although many strategies have been developed in recent years to address drug incompatibility risks, clinical data is still lacking. All studies with in vitro design were excluded although some current innovative strategies, like niosomes, should be considered and studied by means of clinical data in the future.

Optimising insulin aspart practices in a neonatal intensive care unit: a clinical and pharmaco-technical study.

Neonatal hyperglycaemia is frequent and requires insulin therapy. To resolve the difficulties encountered by paediatricians in stabilising glycaemia, the preparation and administration of insulin aspart were assessed and optimised. After high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-UV) assessment of insulin aspart preparations made according to the old protocol, a new protocol was drawn up. Dosage reliability of solutions prepared by paediatric nurses was evaluated by HPLC-UV. This new protocol was also tested in a Y-infusion situation and the need to saturate infusion tubes assessed. Wide deviations in insulin aspart concentrations were found between theoretical concentrations and preparations made according to the old protocol. Glycated insulin aspart was found in the majority of these preparations. The new protocol significantly reduced the variability of data and relative deviations around the target value. It also eliminated the formation of glycated insulin even in the case of co-infusion of parenteral nutrition and confirmed the need to saturate infusion tubes.Conclusion: The revision of the insulin therapy protocol reduced the variability of insulin concentration in preparations and avoided the administration of glycated derivatives potentially toxic for neonates. What is Known: • Insulin preparation in NICUs is a risky task because it is a two-step preparation • Diluted in dextrose, insulin aspart is unstable, with formation of potentially toxic glycated derivatives What is New: • This work proposes a new insulin therapy protocol validated by HPLC-UV for NICU allowing suppression of the formation of glycated insulin, to significantly reduce deviations from theoretical concentrations and to limit adsorption phenomena • This protocol is validated in case of co-infusion of parenteral nutrition.

Case report: risk of skin necrosis related to injectable vancomycin in critically ill newborn infants.

BACKGROUND: Vancomycin is commonly used as part of empiric antibiotic therapy in the preterm infants who develop signs and symptoms of infection. Although skin necrosis has been noted to occur following injection of vancomycin into a peripheral vein in an adult patient, this complication has not been previously described in a preterm infant. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a very low birthweight male infant born at 30 weeks gestational age who developed skin necrosis, most likely as a complication of vancomycin administration via a peripheral venous catheter. The immature skin and endothelial cells of this preterm infant may have increased the risk of drugs related venous and skin toxicity. In this case, assumption of a cumulative toxicity with other drugs administered concomitantly via the same catheter can't be excluded. CONCLUSIONS: To prevent the risk of skin damage, we advocate that in newborn infants, the administration of vancomycin should be limited to a concentration of < 2.5 mg/mL via a peripheral intravenous catheter if a central venous catheter is not available.

Long term stability of an admixture of alizapride and ondansetron in 0.9% sodium chloride solution polyolefin bags stored at 5±3°C.

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing chemotherapeutic treatment are currently treated by a concomittent infusion of alizapride and ondansetron. To optimise the procedure and to ensure patients' safety, the admixture could be prepared in advance by the Centralized Intravenous Additive Service (CIVAS) provided that the stability of the mixture has been proven beforhand to reduce nausea and vomiting.Aim of the study: to evaluate the long-term stability of an admixture of alizapride 0.926 mg/l and ondansetron 0.074 mg/ml in 0.9% sodium chloride polyolefin bags stored at 5 ± 3°C. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Five polyolefin bags containing 100 ml sodium chloride 0.9% added with 4 ml alizapride (100 mg) and 4 ml ondansetron (8 mg) were prepared in aseptic conditions and stored at 5 ± 3°C for 56 days. Periodically, physical stability tests were performed including: pH measurements, optical density measurements at 350, 410 and 550 nm to track turbidity appearance, visual and microscopical inspections to detect colour changes, precipitation, microaggregates or crystals. The concentrations of the solutions were measured by High Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with an UV detector. RESULTS: There was no change in pH and optical densities during the study period. Visual and microscopical inspections didn't show any change of colour neither precipitation, microaggregate or crystal. The alizapride and ondansetron concentrations remained stable over the study. CONCLUSION: The admixture of alizapride and ondansetron in 0.9% sodium chloride solution polyolefin bags is physicochemically stable up to 56 days at 5 ± 3°C. These results support the possibility of preparing the solutions in advance by a CIVAS.

Intraventricular dopamine infusion alleviates motor symptoms in a primate model of Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND: Continuous compensation of dopamine represents an ideal symptomatic treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD). The feasibility in intracerebroventricular administration (i.c.v.) of dopamine previously failed because of unresolved dopamine oxidation. OBJECTIVES: We aim to test the feasibility, safety margins and efficacy of continuous i.c.v. of anaerobic-dopamine (A-dopamine) with a pilot translational study in a non-human primate model of PD. METHODS: Continuous and circadian i.c.v. of A-dopamine was administered through a micro-pump connected to a subcutaneous catheter implanted into the right frontal horn of 8 non-human primates treated with 1-methyl-4- phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). A-dopamine was assessed at acute doses previously reported for dopamine as well as evaluating the long term therapeutic index of A-dopamine in comparison to anaerobically prepared L-dopa or methyl ester L-dopa. RESULTS: Over 60 days of a continuous circadian i.c.v. of A-dopamine improved motor symptoms (therapeutic index from 30 to 70 mg/day) without tachyphylaxia. No dyskinesia was observed even with very high doses. Death after 1 to 10 days (without neuronal alteration) was only observed with doses in excess of 160 mg whereas L-dopa i.c.v. was not effective at any dose. The technical feasibility of the administration regimen was confirmed for an anaerobic preparation of dopamine and for administration of a minimal infusion volume by micro-pump at a constant flow that prevented obstruction. CONCLUSION: Continuous circadian i.c.v. of A-dopamine appears to be feasible and shows efficacy without dyskinesia with a safe therapeutic index.

Fastidious chemical decontamination after cyclophosphamide vial breakage in a compounding unit.

An important amount of cytotoxic drug may accumulate in the workplace following the breakage of a vial containing an anticancer drug. Thanks to the monthly monitoring of the surface contamination in our compounding unit, a strong increase of cyclophosphamide contamination was highlighted in the storage area following the breakage of the vial, despite application of the emergency procedure. This study presents an analysis of chemical decontamination in the context of massive contamination. Samples were taken on the floor and on the caster of a storage shelf where the vial broke. The residual contamination was measured with a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry method. An admixture of 10-2 M sodium dodecyl sulfate and 70% isopropanol (SDS/IPA 8:2) was selected as the decontamination solution. High amounts of cyclophosphamide were retrieved. The initial contamination on the floor was over 20 ng/cm2. Three decontaminations with SDS/IPA were carried out at Day 61, Day 68, and Day 71. The amount of cyclophosphamide decreased to 0.45 ng/cm2 at D134. However, high values were still measured on the caster despite successive decontaminations, with a maximal value of 19.78 ng/cm2 observed at Day 106. Continuous monitoring in our unit led us to highlight the inefficiency of our emergency procedure to eliminate high cyclophosphamide contamination. The procedure involving the SDS/IPA admixture was more efficient on the floor compared to the caster, which is a different surface type and porosity. This work highlights the importance of improving the procedures of incident management using contamination monitoring and repeated decontamination procedures adapted to different contaminants and surfaces.

Efficiency of degradation or desorption methods in antineoplastic drug decontamination: A critical review.

Although considerable efforts have been made over the last 40 years, occupational exposure to antineoplastic drugs is still a daily concern, since eradicating such contamination from workplaces seems unattainable. Considerable data are currently available on the risks associated with their use at work. Hospital facilities are often cleaned with marketed antimicrobials whose chemical decontamination efficacy certainly differs but remains unknown. To keep compounding facilities sterile, alcohol-based solutions are frequently used but with very limited efficiency. It would be particularly useful if a decontamination method could be added to the means already available so that all conventional antineoplastic drug contamination could be removed. Several degradation methods or desorption methods have previously been experimented, with varying success. They have never been compared or discussed in terms either of efficiency or usability. This review aims to analyse and discuss the results of each degradation or decontamination procedure and to compare them. This should facilitate selection of the method to be implemented in daily practice.

Quality control and stability of ketamine, remifentanil, and sufentanil syringes in a pediatric operating theater.

BACKGROUND: Transforming a drug from its commercial form into a ready-to-use drug is common practice, especially in pediatrics. However, the risk of compounding error is real and data on drug stability in practice are not always available. AIMS: The aim of this study was to assess, in real conditions, both the error rate and stability of three drugs: ketamine, remifentanil, and sufentanil. METHODS: A new rapid and easy-to-use high-performance liquid chromatography method with a diode array detector has been developed and validated to quantify these drugs and detect their degradation products. Over a 1-month period, 151 syringes were collected in the postanesthesia care unit. Seventy-three were stock solution syringes containing a 10-fold dilution of commercial drugs and 78 were serial dilution syringes made from successive dilutions of stock solutions. A comparison between real and expected concentrations as well as the detection of possible degradation products was carried out on these samples. RESULTS: All stock solution syringes had good chemical stability throughout the working day. A 4-µg/mL remifentanil serial dilution syringe, however, had to be discarded as a degradation peak was detected. Overall, 15.3% (95% CI, 9.5-21.1%) of syringes had a drug concentration outside the ±10% acceptability range, that is, 11.0% (95% CI, 3.7-18.2%) and 19.5% (95% CI, 10.6%-28.4%) of stock and diluted syringes respectively, with drug amounts ranging from -25.3% to 22.0%. The highest error rates were observed with sufentanil syringes: 20% and 28% for stock solution and serial dilution, respectively. CONCLUSION: The study shows that stock solution syringes prepared in advance are chemically stable throughout the day, unlike certain serial dilution syringes, indicating that the latter should be prepared just before administration to ensure chemical stability. Our results show that the error rate for serial dilution syringes is twice that of stock solution. Different safety measures are under discussion and have to be further studied.

Acute kidney injury after high dose etoposide phosphate: A retrospective study in children receiving an allogeneic hematopoetic stem cell transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Etoposide phosphate (EP; single injection, 60 mg/kg) followed by total body irradiation (TBI) at 12 Gy has been used as an allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) conditioning regimen for children since 2010. In our institution, EP has been suspected of leading to acute nephrotoxicity. The aim of this study was to assess the potential renal toxicity of EP in this context. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out on children hospitalized between 2007 and 2015 for allo-SCT with TBI-based myeloablative conditioning associated with cyclophosphamide (CY, 60 mg/kg/day × 2 days) or EP. The primary endpoint of the study was the occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI). Additional endpoints were time to recovery for children with AKI, survival, and treatment-related mortality. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients were analyzed (CY: 22 vs. EP: 13). AKI occurred more frequently in the EP group than in the CY one (69% vs. 27%, adjusted odds ratio 6.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.145; 31.445], P = 0.03). The median time to recovery was estimated at 3 days, 95% CI (2; 17), with CY and 11 days 95% CI (5; 18) with EP (adjusted hazard ratio of recovery for EP vs. CY 0.262, 95% CI [0.071; 0.969], P = 0.04). No significant difference was highlighted between the two treatments for survival or for treatment-related mortality. DISCUSSION: This study shows that EP at high dosage or one of its excipients is probably responsible for AKI, as compared to CY. Further studies are required to explore the origin of this adverse effect.

Identification and quantification by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of seven plasticizers in PVC medical devices.

Medical devices are generally made of polyvinyl chloride plasticized by six authorized plasticizers as alternatives to di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP) classified as reprotoxic class 1b. These are acetyl tri-n-butyl citrate (ATBC), di-(2-ethylhexy) adipate (DEHA), di-(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate (DEHT), di-isononyl cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylate (DINCH), di-isononyl phthalate (DINP), and tri-octyl trimellitate (TOTM). The main objective of this study was to propose a new method using 1H NMR spectroscopy to determine and quantify these seven plasticizers in PVC sheets, standard infusion tubings, and commercially available medical devices. Two techniques were compared: dissolution in deuterated tetrahydrofuran and extraction by deuterated chloroform. Plasticizer 1H NMR spectra were very similar in both deuterated solvents; dissolution and extraction provided similar results. The sensitivity of this method enabled us to detect and quantify the presence of minor plasticizers in PVC. In nine commercially available samples, the major plasticizer was identified and quantified by 1H NMR. In six samples, one, two, or three minor plasticizers were identified and also quantified. DEHP was detected in only one tubing. NMR is therefore very convenient for studying plasticizers contained in medical devices. Only small quantities of solvents and sample are required. It is not necessary to dilute samples to enter a quantification range, and it is sufficiently sensitive to detect contaminants.

Immunoassay quantification of human insulin added to ternary parenteral nutrition containers: comparison of two methods.

Adding insulin directly into infusion bags seems to be a useful method for controlling hyperglycemia in patients under ternary parenteral nutrition (TPN). Its efficacy is assessed by glycemic monitoring but few data are available on insulin stability in this situation. Among the various methods for quantifying insulin levels in human serum, the immunoassay ones seemed potentially appropriate for a TPN admixture containing high lipid concentrations. We sought to identify and validate which of two immunoassay methods was the better to quantify human insulin and consequently be adapted to studying its stability in a TPN admixture. Two immunoassay methods to quantify recombinant human insulin were assessed in industrial TPN: an immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) and an immunoelectrochemiluminometric assay (IECMA). Validation trials for both methods were based on the accuracy profile method. Interference with immunometric assays due to the high lipidic content of TPN was eliminated through an improved preparation protocol using a bovine serum albumin (BSA) diluted in phosphate buffer saline (PBS). The relative total error of IECMA varied from 1.74 to 4.52% while it varied from -0.32 to 8.37% with IRMA. Only IECMA provided an accuracy profile with a 95% confidence interval of calculated-tolerance limits falling between the chosen acceptance limits (i.e., total error ≤±10%). IECMA combined with a BSA dilution is a simple and semi-automatic method that provides an accurate quantification of human insulin in a TPN admixture without any interference from lipids.