Sara L. Bonnes

Pre-transplant wasting (as measured by muscle index) is a novel prognostic indicator in lung transplantation

Frailty in non‐transplant populations increases morbidity and mortality. Muscle wasting is an important frailty characteristic. Low body mass index is used to measure wasting, but can over‐ or underestimate muscle mass. Computed tomography (CT) software can directly measure muscle mass. It is unknown if muscle wasting is important in lung transplantation.

Longitudinal Ultrasound Curriculum Improves Long-Term Retention Among Internal Medicine Residents.

BACKGROUND Point-of-care ultrasound is a rapidly evolving component of internal medicine (IM) residency training. The optimal approach for teaching this skill remains unclear. OBJECTIVE We sought to determine whether the addition of a longitudinal ultrasound curriculum to a stand-alone workshop for ultrasound training improved knowledge retention in IM residents. METHODS We conducted an observational cohort study from July to December 2013. All postgraduate year (PGY)-1 IM residents attended an ultrasound workshop during orientation. Ability to identify static images of ascites, kidney, thyroid, pleural fluid, inferior vena cava, and internal jugular vein was assessed immediately after the workshop. An ultrasound curriculum, including morning report and ultrasound rounds, was initiated during the inpatient medicine rotation. PGY-1 residents were randomly assigned to participate in the longitudinal curriculum. Six months later, we conducted a follow-up survey with all PGY-1 residents. RESULTS Forty-eight PGY-1 residents (67%) completed the postworkshop test and the 6-month follow-up test. Of these, 50% (24 of 48) had participated in the ultrasound curriculum. Residents not exposed to the curriculum showed a decline in the identification of ascites, pleural effusion, and internal jugular vein at 6 months (P < .05), whereas those who participated in the curriculum maintained their performance (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS Six months after exposure to a longitudinal ultrasound curriculum, residents were more likely to correctly identify ultrasound images of ascites, kidney, and pleural effusion. The addition of a longitudinal ultrasound curriculum may result in improved knowledge retention in IM residents.

Prevention of Subsequent Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infection Using Catheter Locks in High-Risk Patients Receiving Home Parenteral Nutrition

Introduction:Catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) is a serious complication in patients receiving home parenteral nutrition (HPN). Antibiotic lock therapy (ALT) and ethanol lock therapy (ELT) can be used to prevent CRBSI episodes in high-risk patients. Methods: Following institutional review board approval, all patients enrolled in the Mayo Clinic HPN program from January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2013, with catheter locking were eligible to be included. Patients without research authorization and <18 years old at the initiation of HPN were excluded. Total number of infections before and after ALT or ELT were estimated in all patients. Results: A total of 63 patients were enrolled during the study period. Of 59 eligible patients, 29 (49%) were female, and 30 (51%) were male. The median duration of HPN was 3.66 (interquartile range, 0.75–8.19) years. The mean age ± SD at initiation of HPN was 49.89 ± 14.07 years. A total of 51 patients were instilled with ALT, and 8 patients were instilled with ELT during their course of HPN. A total of 313 CRBSI episodes occurred in these patients, 264 before locking and 49 after locking (P < .001). Rate of infection per 1000 catheter days was 10.97 ± 25.92 before locking and 1.09 ± 2.53 after locking (P < .001). Discussion: The major findings of the present study reveal that ALT or ELT can reduce the overall rate of infections per 1000 catheter days. ALT or ELT can be used in appropriate clinical setting for patients receiving HPN.

Use of Home Parenteral Nutrition in Post–Bariatric Surgery–Related Malnutrition

Background: Bariatric surgery is one of the most effective techniques for achieving sustained weight loss but can be associated with surgical complications or malabsorption so significant that it leads to malnutrition. Parenteral nutrition (PN) may be necessary to help treat surgical complications or malnutrition from these procedures. There are limited data describing this patient population and role for home PN (HPN). Methods: A retrospective review of our HPN database was conducted to identify patients who were initiated on HPN between January 1, 2003, and August 31, 2015, and had a history of bariatric surgery. Results: A total of 54 HPN patients (6.3%) had a history of bariatric surgery. Average age was 52.1 ± 12.8 years, and 80% were female. The most common surgical procedure was Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (72%), with malnutrition or failure to thrive being the most common HPN indication (57%). Weight at the time of HPN initiation was 71.9 ± 20.4 kg and significantly increased to 78.9 ± 24.4 kg by the end of treatment (P = .0001). Serum albumin levels rose from 2.8 ± 0.77 g/dL to 3.7 ± 0.58 g/dL by the end of HPN (P < .0001). Forty-five of 54 patients (83.3%) went on to revision surgery. Conclusion: The results of this retrospective review support initiation of HPN in the malnourished post–bariatric surgery patient both nutritionally and as a bridge to revision surgery.

Home Parenteral Nutrition Fat Emulsions and Potential Complications

Since the first intravenous nutrition support attempt with olive oil in the 17th century, intravenous fat emulsions (IVFEs) have evolved to become an integral component in the management of patients receiving home parenteral nutrition (HPN). IVFEs serve as a calorie source and provide essential fatty acids (linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid) in patients unable to achieve adequate intake of these fatty acids through alternative means. However, IVFE use is also associated with multiple complications, including increased infection risk, liver disease, and systemic proinflammatory states. In the United States, most IVFEs are composed of 100% soybean oil; internationally multiple alternative IVFEs (using fish oil, olive oil, and long- and medium-chain triglycerides) are available or being developed. The hope is that these IVFEs will prevent, or decrease the risk of, some of the HPN-associated complications. The goal of this article is to review how IVFEs came into use, their composition and metabolism, options for IVFE delivery in HPN, benefits and risks of IVFE use, and strategies to minimize the risks associated with IVFE use in HPN patients.

Acute Female Hypogonadism Alters Adipose Tissue Fatty Acid Storage Factors and Chylomicronemia

CONTEXT Chronic sex steroid deficiency has effects on adipose fatty acid (FA) storage mechanisms and fat oxidation, but the chronology of events are not well understood. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to examine the acute effects of female sex steroid suppression on cellular mechanisms affecting abdominal and femoral subcutaneous adipose tissue FA storage. DESIGN This study had a randomized, longitudinal, parallel study design. SETTING The study was conducted at the Mayo Clinic Clinical Research Unit. PARTICIPANTS Thirty-eight nonsmoking premenopausal women aged 18-50 years participated in the study. INTERVENTION The intervention included randomization to receive one of the following: 1) no treatment (control), 2) 3.75 mg of Lupron, or 3) 3.75 mg of Lupron and estrogen, but not progesterone, replacement for 49 days, resulting in at least 4 weeks of sex steroid suppression. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Body composition, fat cell size, postprandial chylomicron and nonchylomicron triglyceride concentrations, adipose tissue meal FA storage, direct free fatty acid storage, lipoprotein lipase, acyl CoA synthetase, and diacylglycerol acyltransferase activities, and CD36 content were measured. RESULTS Compared with the control group, the fed state femoral lipoprotein lipase activity was reduced in women taking Lupron and those taking Lupron and estrogen replacement. In addition, we observed significantly greater postprandial chylomicronemia in the Lupron group than in the other two groups. There were no differences in overall fat storage and oxidation. Depending on the mode of data expression (per unit lipid vs per 1000 adipocytes), there were modest changes in acyl CoA synthetase, diacylglycerol acyltransferase, and CD36 in response to acute sex hormone suppression. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest estrogen and progesterone may have different effects on the regulation of FA metabolism and that acute sex steroid deficiency in women does not alter fat storage and oxidation.

Accuracy of Intravenous Electrocardiography Confirmation of Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter for Parenteral Nutrition

BACKGROUND Parenteral nutrition (PN) is a life-saving therapy for patients with intestinal failure. Safe delivery of hyperosmotic solution requires a central venous catheter (CVC) with tip in the lower superior vena cava (SVC) or at the SVC-right atrium (RA) junction. To reduce cost and delay in use of CVC, new techniques such as intravascular electrocardiogram (ECG) are being used for tip confirmation in place of chest x-ray (CXR). The present study assessed for accuracy of ECG confirmation in home PN (HPN). METHODS Records for all patients consulted for HPN from December 17, 2014, to June 16, 2015, were reviewed for patient demographics, diagnosis leading to HPN initiation, and ECG and CXR confirmation. CXRs were subsequently reviewed by a radiologist to reassess location of the CVC tip and identify those that should be adjusted. RESULTS Seventy-three patients were eligible, and after assessment for research authorization and postplacement CXR, 17 patients (30% male) with an age of 54 ± 14 years were reviewed. In all patients, postplacement intravascular ECG reading stated tip in the SVC. However, based on CXR, the location of the catheter tip was satisfactory (low SVC or SVC-RA junction) in 10 of 17 patients (59%). CONCLUSION Due to the high osmolality of PN, CVC tip location is of paramount importance. After radiology review of CXR, we noted that 7 of 17 (41%) peripherally inserted central catheter lines were in an unsatisfactory position despite ECG confirmation. With current data available, intravenous ECG confirmation should not be used as the sole source of tip confirmation in patients receiving HPN.

Parenteral Nutrition for Management of Malignant Bowel Obstruction

Purpose of ReviewThis review article focuses on the practice of providing parenteral nutrition in cases of malignant bowel obstruction (MBO) where the enteral route of feeding is unavailable.Recent FindingsParenteral nutrition is an option in patients with MBO in whom enteral nutrition cannot be provided. However, its use is associated with complications that should lead to careful patient selection in determining who will benefit from its use. MBO often represents the end stage of the disease process, and not all patient presentations will benefit from parental nutrition (PN). Recent research does indicate that certain subsets of patients (e.g., chemotherapy naïve patients, patients with good functional status) will experience longer, better quality of life with administration of PN.SummaryThose patients with expected survival on the order of weeks to months, as well as those able to undergo surgical therapies to relieve the obstruction, benefit most from administration of PN, in addition to their cancer-specific treatment.

To Pull or Not to Pull: Salvaging Central Line Catheters in Home Parenteral Nutrition

Purpose of ReviewCatheter-related blood stream infections (CRBSI) pose a significant risk to patients on home parenteral nutrition (HPN). Recurrent loss of catheters can lead to scarring and eventual loss of central access, a potentially fatal situation for patients dependent on HPN.Recent FindingsIn the past, the standard of care to treat these infections required catheter removal. More recently, several studies have indicated that many CRBSI can be treated without removal of the catheter. Successful treatment without removal can be achieved by intentionally following a catheter salvage protocol. We define this as a previously defined protocol to accurately diagnose CRBSI, identify the organism(s) involved, and effectively treat not only the blood stream infection, but also sterilize the catheter.SummaryFor patients on HPN with CRBSI, consider attempting line salvage if the patient is not suffering from severe sepsis, other infection related complications, or certain specific infections. Success rates vary depending on the organism causing the infection and the risks; benefits and chance of success should be considered when deciding to attempt line salvage.

Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition—From Hospital to Home: Will It Be Covered?

With scientific advances allowing for the safe delivery of parenteral and enteral nutrition in the home setting, challenges have risen with determining how this will be financially feasible for patients. In the United States, the government is one of the major payers for home parenteral and enteral nutrition (HPEN). Thus, it is important for nutrition providers to have an understanding of the Medicare criteria that must be met in order for these services to be covered. It can be difficult for clinicians to sift through these requirements and decipher for whom and when HPEN is covered. As our nutrition science knowledge and delivery continue to grow and evolve, potential barriers to this coverage may arise. This article provides background on those currently on HPEN in the United States, the current Medicare HPEN coverage criteria, and challenges we may face in the future.