Background: Liver involvement in light chain amyloidosis (AL) is seen in up to 20% of patients and is typically encountered as part of multi-organ involvement. Liver involvement is associated with a poor prognosis. The goal of this study was to assess the prognostic impact of the hepatic response criteria, which were published in 2005 and were not broadly assessed for their prognostic value. Patients and methods: Ten centers across the USA and Europe participated in this study.AL amyloidosis patients who were diagnosed between 2010 and 2015, had liver involvement with serum alkaline phosphatase (AP) >1.5 upper reference limit (URL), and achieved hematologic response to therapy were included in this study. Hepatic response was assessed at 6, 12, and 24 months from therapy initiation and at best response. Based on a receiver operation characteristic analysis, a 50% reduction in AP was set as the optimal cut point for discrimination of 5-year overall survival (OS) in the 12-months response assessment landmark (area under the curve 0.67). Therefore, hepatic response was defined as a reduction in AP >50% from baseline value in addition to AP normalization, regardless of AP percentage reduction. Hepatic progression was defined as >50% increase in serum AP. OS was assessed from therapy initiation until death or last follow-up and was plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method. The log-rank test used to compare survival between groups. For fixed-time point survival analysis, patients who died before the landmark were excluded. Hepatic response at a fixed time points, when missing, was imputed based on available data from adjacent time points (imputation of hepatic response was performed in 15%, 23%, and 22% of evaluable patients at 6-, 12-, and 24-month landmarks, respectively). Multivariate Cox proportional models were set to determine independent prognostic factors for OS using variables with p-value <0.1 in a univariate analysis. P-values <0.05 were considered significant. Results: One hundred and sixteen patients (n=116) are included. The median age was 60 years, and the median serum AP was X2.6 URL. Concomitant kidney involvement was present in 63.8% of patients, while coexisting heart involvement was seen in 56% of patients. Hematologic VGPR or better was achieved in 69% of patients. AP decrease deepened with time, with a median reduction at 6-, 12-, 24-months and best response being 22%, 34%, 53%, and 56%, respectively. Overall, 65% of patients (n=75) achieved hepatic response, of whom 71 patients based on reduction in AP >50% and 4 patients for reaching AP within normal reference but not meeting >50% reduction in AP (40- 46% reduction in AP). The median time to hepatic response was 13.8 months, longer for patients undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) as their primary therapy compared to non-transplant therapies (24 vs 12.6 months, P=0.1). With a median follow-up of 105 months, 42 patients died (36.2% of the study cohort). The 2-, 5- and 10-year OS rates were 83%, 67%, and 61%, respectively. Achievement of hepatic response as early as 12 months and at best response was associated with a longer survival (Figure). Hepatic response was an independent prognostic factor in a multivariate analysis, after adjusting for other known prognostic factors (age, cardiac stage, hematologic response, and primary therapy). Predictors of hepatic response include higher baseline AP level, lower total bilirubin, hematologic ≥VGPR, and cardiac and renal responses, when applicable. Hepatic progression was borderline associated with inferior OS (5-year OS 47% vs 70% among non-progressors, P=0.08). Conclusions: Hepatic response and progression measured by the change in alkaline phosphatase are prognostic in AL amyloidosis. These criteria are independent of other prognostic markers, and thus may have clinical implications for patients' care.
Extended Full Dose Versus Low Dose Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Cancer and Overweight Patients
Background: Reduced or low-dose direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have been studied in randomized control trials for the extended prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) after 6 months of treatment at full, therapeutic doses. The real-world effectiveness as well as utilization of this approach in clinical practice compared to continuing at therapeutic doses is unclear. Aims: Examine the effectiveness, safety and utilization of reduced-dose DOACs in cancer patients and overweight patients. Methods: Consecutive patients with VTE were identified using the Mayo Clinic VTE Registry from March 1st, 2013 to December 31st, 2021. Patients were followed prospectively for outcomes of VTE recurrence, death, major bleeding and clinically relevant non major bleeding (CRNMB) either in person or by survey. Patients with recurrent VTE or bleeding during the first 3 months were excluded from further analysis. After completion of anticoagulation treatment for 3 months with either rivaroxaban or apixaban, patients continuing anticoagulation were evaluated in a nested case-control study. Results: A total of 404 patients (283 (70%) on apixaban and 121 (30%) on rivaroxaban) were identified in the low dose DOAC and 3060 in the full dose anticoagulation group. Overall, the mean age was 60.7 years (SD 14.4), mean weight was 89.9 kg (SD 23.8) and 55.1% were males. Within the full cohort, patients with active cancer were less likely to be prescribed low dose DOACs (HR 0.56; 95%CI 0.42-0.73; p<0.001). However, low dose DOAC prescription was more likely in patients with pulmonary embolism alone (HR 1.48; 95%CI 1.21-1.80; p<0.001) or in combination with DVT (HR 1.54; 95%CI 1.25,1.90; p<0.001). Patients transitioned to low dose DOACs had similar age, sex and weight compared to the full dose anticoagulation group, however, fewer patients with weight ≥120 kg had reduced dosing (HR 0.68; 95%CI 0.46,0.99; p=0.046). The mean time to start of a low dose DOAC was 5.1 months overall, 5.4 months in cancer patients, and 3.6-4.9 months in non-cancer patients (Table 1). Non-cancer patients had significantly lower transition numbers in those ≥120kg (HR 0.62; 95%CI 0.40,0.97; p=0.038). In non-cancer patients In comparing weight, ≥120kg to <120kg, in the low dose group, only death was statistically different with higher risk in those ≥120kg (HR 6.44; 95%CI1.27,32.81; p=0.025). Cancer patients transitioned to low dose DOACs around 5 months on average with a median of 3.3 months. Apixaban continued to be the dominant DOAC used (78%) in the low dose group. The cancers with the most patients on low dose DOACs include lymphoma, prostate, melanoma, ovarian, and breast. There was no significant difference in VTE recurrence or death in the cancer group on different DOAC doses. Conclusion: Our results show that anticoagulant prescribers are not always waiting until 6 months to transition to low doses and low doses are being utilized in cancer patients despite lack of cancer-specific studies during the analyzed time period. Although the sample size limits the precision of this analysis, we did not find statistically significant increases in VTE recurrence with low dose DOACs in either cancer patients or with elevated body weight. We did find CRNMB but not MB was observed more frequently in weights above 120kg, possibly from unadjusted confounding in this unadjusted analysis.
Pralsetinib in Patients with Advanced/Metastatic Rearranged During Transfection (RET)-Altered Thyroid Cancer: Updated Efficacy and Safety Data from the ARROW Study
Background: Rearranged during transfection ( RET ) alterations are targetable oncogenic drivers in thyroid cancer. Primary data from the open-label, phase 1/2 ARROW study demonstrated clinical activity and manageable safety with pralsetinib, a selective RET inhibitor, in patients with advanced/metastatic RET -altered thyroid cancer. We present an updated analysis with more patients and longer follow-up. Methods: Adult patients with advanced/metastatic RET -mutant medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) or RET fusion-positive thyroid cancer who initiated oral pralsetinib at 400 mg once daily were included. Primary endpoints were overall response rate (ORR) by blinded independent central review (per RECIST v1.1) and safety. Secondary endpoints included duration of response (DoR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival. Responses were assessed in three cohorts of patients with baseline measurable disease: patients with RET -mutant MTC who had received prior cabozantinib and/or vandetanib (C/V), treatment-naïve patients with RET -mutant MTC, and patients with previously treated RET fusion-positive thyroid cancer. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) were an exploratory endpoint. Results: As of October 18, 2021, the measurable disease population comprised of 61 patients with RET -mutant MTC and prior C/V, 62 treatment-naïve patients with RET -mutant MTC, and 22 patients with RET fusion-positive thyroid cancer who had received prior systemic therapy, including radioactive iodine. The ORR was 55.7% [confidence interval; 95% CI: 42.4–68.5] in patients with RET -mutant MTC and prior C/V, 77.4% [95% CI: 65.0–87.1] in treatment-naïve patients with RET -mutant MTC, and 90.9% [95% CI: 70.8–98.9] in patients with previously treated RET fusion-positive thyroid cancer. Median DoR and median PFS were both 25.8 months in patients with RET -mutant MTC and prior C/V, not reached in treatment-naïve patients with RET -mutant MTC, and 23.6 and 25.4 months, respectively, in patients with previously treated RET fusion-positive thyroid cancer. In the RET -altered thyroid cancer safety population ( N = 175), 97.1% of patients reported a treatment-related adverse event (TRAE); these led to discontinuation in 5.7% and dose reduction in 52.6% of patients. There was one death (0.6%) due to a TRAE. PROs improved or remained stable after pralsetinib treatment. Conclusions: In this updated analysis of the ARROW study, pralsetinib continued to show deep and durable clinical activity and a manageable safety profile in patients with advanced/metastatic RET- altered thyroid cancer. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT03037385
2884. Incidence of Invasive Fungal Infections After Pancreas Transplantation
Abstract Background There is scarce data surrounding the epidemiology of invasive fungal infections (IFI) after pancreas transplantation (PT). Our centers’ PT protocols recommend universal fluconazole prophylaxis for at least 1 month, which is extended to 1 year for recipients who live in Coccidioides endemic areas. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the epidemiology of IFIs after PT while on our antifungal prophylaxis protocol. Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed among adult patients who underwent PT at Mayo Clinic sites in Arizona, Florida, or Minnesota between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2020. IFI was defined based on EORTC/MSGERC criteria. The primary aim was to describe epidemiology and timing of IFI after PT, particularly in the context of the universal antifungal prophylaxis protocol. Results Among 482 pancreas transplant recipients, 35 developed IFIs (7.3%). All patients received antifungal prophylaxis per protocol for a median duration of 33 days (Figure 1). Median duration from time of transplant to IFI was 16 (IQR 10.5-28.2) days for Candida IFIs versus 529 (IQR 192.5-1195.0) days for non-Candida IFI. 20 IFIs (57.1%) were secondary to Candida species with 45% of these cases caused by either C. glabrata or C. krusei (Figure 2). 90% were on antifungal prophylaxis (85% fluconazole) at time of diagnosis of invasive candidiasis. All the Candida IFIs were intra-abdominal infections. Amongst the 15 non-Candida IFIs (42.9%), 9 were secondary to endemic mycoses and 4 were secondary to invasive molds. Conclusion Our study shows a high incidence of IFIs secondary to Candida, with few patients diagnosed with non-Candida IFIs (Figure 3). Non-Candida IFIs, mostly secondary to endemic mycoses, occurred more than a year after transplant. Patients are at highest risk for Candida IFIs within the first 30 days after PT, likely secondary to organ space surgical site infections, despite receipt of antifungal prophylaxis. Breakthrough invasive candidiasis occurred in 90% of cases. Though our study lacked a comparator group without prophylaxis, these data question the effectiveness of fluconazole prophylaxis after PT. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures
142. When You Can't Call It Colonization, Consider Cutting It Out: Mitigating Panels of Unusual Size to Improve C. difficile Diagnostic Specificity
Abstract Background The BioFire® FilmArray® Gastrointestinal Pathogen Panel (GIPP) tests for 22 potential pathogens in stool, including Clostridioides difficile. C. difficile nucleic acid is detected via nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting toxin A (TcdA) and/or toxin B (TcdB) genes. While PCR-based diagnostic methods are highly sensitive, they lack specificity to differentiate colonization from C. difficile infection (CDI). Mayo Clinic Arizona (MCA) uses enzyme immunoassay (EIA) testing for toxin A/B and glutamate dehydrogenase antigens with reflex to PCR for discordance as the primary algorithm for diagnosing CDI; however, GIPP PCR testing circumvents this algorithm. When used in patients with low pretest probability for CDI, clinical false positives can lead to inappropriate diagnosis and treatment of colonization. GIPA Results in the Electronic Medical Record Pre-Intervention MCA Standalone C. difficile Testing Algorithm Abbreviations – EIA, enzyme immunoassay; GDH, glutamate dehydrogenase; NAAT, nucleic acid amplification test Methods We convened a multidisciplinary quality improvement team to reduce the detection and treatment of C. difficile colonization secondary to GIPP test results. Surveys were sent to providers and nurses as part of a formal gap analysis and included questions around ordering patterns, knowledge of appropriate tests, and associated costs. Baseline data was compiled from GIPP orders in MCA from 1/1/2022-9/30/2022. Results There were 1978 GIPP orders for 1694 patients during the study period (∼7 GIPPs/day). Most orders (65%) originated from ambulatory settings. The most common positive target was C. difficile (355/723, 49%), which resulted in treatment for suspected CDI in 94.9% (337/355) of cases. Of the 49 providers who responded to the survey, 86% ordered the GIPP at least monthly. Testing for C. difficile was the 2nd most common reason for ordering the GIPP. Most providers underestimated the cost of the panel and were unfamiliar with the differences between the GIPP and EIA testing algorithm. Nurses sought clarification on stool samples suitable for GIPP testing. Following education and modifications to ordering in the electronic health record, the decision was made to remove the C. difficile target from the GIPP. Provider Understanding of C. difficile Testing Methods GIPA Results in the Electronic Medical Record Post-Intervention Conclusion Multiplex PCR panels are comprehensive but require careful implementation to facilitate diagnostic stewardship. Facilities with robust standalone C. difficile testing algorithms may consider removing the C. difficile target from the GIPP. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures
1198. More is not Merrier: Mitigating Meropenem Misuse in the ICU at an Academic Medical Center
Abstract Background Inappropriate use of carbapenems is a major driver of antimicrobial resistance. The intensive care unit (ICU) at Mayo Clinic Arizona had a higher meropenem (MER) days of therapy (DOT) per 1000 patient days (PD) compared to other Mayo Clinic Enterprise sites, despite low rates of Pseudomonal resistance to narrower spectrum anti-pseudomonal beta-lactams. Methods A multidisciplinary team of infectious diseases (ID) and critical care medicine (CCM) physicians and pharmacists was created to reduce inappropriate use of MER in the ICU. The baseline rate of appropriateness was determined by evaluating all MER days in the ICU during Q4 2019 and Q4 2020. Each MER day was designated as appropriate or inappropriate based on pre-determined criteria after review by at least one ID and one CCM member. Discordant days were evaluated by the whole team to achieve consensus. The team provided education to the CCM department on the initiative, baseline data, and strategies to reduce inappropriate MER use. The active intervention included prospective audit and feedback of all patients on MER performed by the ID clinical pharmacists Mon-Fri 0700-1530 in Q4 2022. DOT/1000 PD was assessed for the pre-intervention and intervention periods. Results The baseline rate of inappropriate MER use in the ICU was 52% (442/846 days). The two most common reasons for inappropriate MER use in the baseline period were: susceptible organism for which a narrower agent could have been used (93/442, 21%), and infectious workup/cultures negative (89/442, 20%). During the intervention period, the inappropriate rate of MER use was reduced to 23%, below the pre-determined goal of 30%. The MER DOT/1000 PD in the baseline period were 103.9 (Q4 2019) and 151.5 (Q4 2020) versus 66.1 (Q4 2022) in the intervention period. There was no difference in ICU sepsis-related mortality in the pre-intervention vs intervention period (13.4 vs 0%, p=0.04). Conclusion A multidisciplinary team approach, including education and prospective audit and feedback, reduced inappropriate MER use in the ICU of an academic medical center from 52 to 23%. An associated decrease in MER DOT/1000 patient days was also observed. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures
2692. Epidemiology and Risk Factors for Clostridioides difficile Infection after Pancreas Transplantation
Abstract Background Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a common and potentially life-threatening infection. Transplant recipients are vulnerable to CDI due to immune suppression and frequent antibiotic exposure. CDI can lead to serious complications in these patients, including allograft failure. In a population of pancreas transplant recipients, we aimed to identify epidemiologic characteristics and risk factors associated with CDI within 90 days of transplant. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study of adults who underwent pancreas transplantation between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2020, at three centers in Arizona, Florida, and Minnesota. Patients were excluded if they developed pancreas allograft failure within 48 hours of transplantation. The primary outcome was diagnosis of CDI within 90 days of transplantation and the secondary outcome was pancreas allograft failure. The main analyses were performed by Cox regression. Results A total of 482 patients were included, of which 35 (7.3%) developed CDI within 90 days (Table 1). Within the subset of 35 CDI patients, the median time to CDI was 17.0 (IQR 13.0–28.5) days (Figure 1) with most (83%) diagnosed with non-severe CDI. Most patients with CDI were on current systemic antibiotics (94%), primarily for prophylaxis (73%). CDI treatment was vancomycin for the majority of patients (71%) and metronidazole for the rest (29%). One patient had a fecal transplant for recurrence, and none required surgery. In multivariable cox regression of associations with 90-day CDI, significant associations were anastomotic leak (HR 3.04, 95% CI 1.2-7.4; p=0.015) and simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (HR 8.70, 95% CI 1.15-66.7; p=0.036); age (HR 0.97, 95% CI 0.94-1.01; p=0.110) was not significant. In a secondary analysis, CDI was not associated with pancreas allograft failure (p=0.719).Table 1.Characteristics of 482 patients who underwent pancreas transplantation. Conclusion This study identified preceding anastomotic leak as a risk factor for 90-day CDI after pancreas transplantation, likely due to subsequent intra-abdominal infection and antibiotic use. simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation is another risk factor due to additional comorbidity. Transplant providers should be cognizant of the risks of CDI and mitigate these risks as possible. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures
Standardizing nomenclature in regional anesthesia: an ASRA-ESRA Delphi consensus study of upper and lower limb nerve blocks
Background Inconsistent nomenclature and anatomical descriptions of regional anesthetic techniques hinder scientific communication and engender confusion; this in turn has implications for research, education and clinical implementation of regional anesthesia. Having produced standardized nomenclature for abdominal wall, paraspinal and chest wall regional anesthetic techniques, we aimed to similarly do so for upper and lower limb peripheral nerve blocks. Methods We performed a three-round Delphi international consensus study to generate standardized names and anatomical descriptions of upper and lower limb regional anesthetic techniques. A long list of names and anatomical description of blocks of upper and lower extremities was produced by the members of the steering committee. Subsequently, two rounds of anonymized voting and commenting were followed by a third virtual round table to secure consensus for items that remained outstanding after the first and second rounds. As with previous methodology, strong consensus was defined as ≥75% agreement and weak consensus as 50%–74% agreement. Results A total of 94, 91 and 65 collaborators participated in the first, second and third rounds, respectively. We achieved strong consensus for 38 names and 33 anatomical descriptions, and weak consensus for five anatomical descriptions. We agreed on a template for naming peripheral nerve blocks based on the name of the nerve and the anatomical location of the blockade and identified several areas for future research. Conclusions We achieved consensus on nomenclature and anatomical descriptions of regional anesthetic techniques for upper and lower limb nerve blocks, and recommend using this framework in clinical and academic practice. This should improve research, teaching and learning of regional anesthesia to eventually improve patient care.
Hospitalization Risk Associated With Emergency Department Reasons for Visit and Patient Age: A Retrospective Evaluation of National Emergency Department Survey Data to Help Identify Potentially Avoidable Emergency Department Visits
Background Patients often present to emergency departments (EDs) with concerns that do not require emergency care. Self-triage and other interventions may help some patients decide whether they should be seen in the ED. Symptoms associated with low risk of hospitalization can be identified in national ED data and can inform the design of interventions to reduce avoidable ED visits. Methods We used the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS) data from the United States National Health Care Statistics (NHCS) division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The ED datasets from 2011 through 2020 were combined. Primary reasons for ED visit and the binary field for hospital admission from the ED were used to estimate the proportion of ED patients admitted to the hospital for each reason for visit and age category. Results There were 221,027 surveyed ED visits during the 10-year data collection with 736 different primary reasons for visit and 23,228 hospitalizations. There were 145 million estimated hospitalizations from 1.37 billion estimated ED visits (10.6%). Inclusion criteria for this study were reasons for visit which had at least 30 ED visits in the sample; there were 396 separate reasons for visit which met this criteria. Of these 396 reasons for visit, 97 had admission percentages less than 2% and another 52 had hospital admissions estimated between 2% and 4%. However, there was a significant increase in hospitalizations within many of the ED reasons for visit in older adults. Conclusion Reasons for visit from national ED data can be ranked by hospitalization risk. Low-risk symptoms may help healthcare institutions identify potentially avoidable ED visits. Healthcare systems can use this information to help manage potentially avoidable ED visits with interventions designed to apply to their patient population and healthcare access.
Wiidookaage’Win: A Community-Based Qualitative Approach to Developing a Facebook Group Intervention for Native Women to Support Recovery From Opioid Use
Purpose To develop a culturally-tailored American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) women’s Facebook group supporting opioid recovery as an adjunct to medication. Design Community-based, qualitative approach. Setting Minnesota, U.S. Participants AI/AN women in opioid recovery, interested parties, and a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) of AI/AN women with lived experience, health care providers, and community members. Intervention We developed evidence-based content focusing on stress/trauma and substance use, mindfulness, responding to triggers, and supportive community resources. Additional content centered on AI/AN culture was also selected. Method Interviews were conducted by two women, then transcribed and coded using content analysis with NVivo software. Results were presented to CAC for further content refinement. Results CAC members (n = 10) guided study methods, intervention development, and dissemination activities. 14 AI/AN women (mean age 36.4 years; mean 6.7 months opioid abstinence) and 12 interested parties (7 men, 5 women) were receptive to an AI/AN gender-specific Facebook group, preferring content with AI/AN people and/or text resonating with AI/AN culture (e.g., Native traditions, family, personal stories, historical trauma). Recommendations included (1) protect confidentiality, (2) retain positivity, (3) incorporate resources and exercises to build coping skills, and (4) moderators should be authentic and relatable to build trust. Conclusions Our approach provides a model for developing culturally tailored, appealing and effective social media interventions to support AI/AN women in recovery from opioid use disorder.