Name of the Procedure:

• Common Names: Infusion Pump Therapy, Continuous Medication Infusion
• Technical Terms: Continuous Parenteral Medication Administration using Infusion Pump (K0455)

Summary

An infusion pump is a medical device used to deliver medication directly into the bloodstream continuously. This is crucial for medications like epoprostenol or treprostinol, which are needed to manage pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Purpose

• Medical Conditions: Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH), chronic pain, and other conditions requiring continuous medication delivery.
• Goals: To provide uninterrupted drug delivery for maintaining stable therapeutic levels of medication, reducing symptoms, and improving quality of life.

Indications

• Symptoms: Severe breathlessness, chest pain, fatigue, dizziness associated with PAH.
• Patient Criteria: Patients requiring consistent medication levels, those who have not responded to oral or other forms of medication delivery.

Preparation

• Instructions: No fasting required; however, patients should follow specific medication guidelines.
• Assessments: Pre-procedural checks may include blood tests, imaging, and an evaluation of current medications and vitals.

Procedure Description

1. Initial Assessment: The healthcare provider assesses the patient's condition and confirms the need for an infusion pump.
2. Device Setup: The infusion pump is programmed with the specific medication dosage and infusion rate.
3. Insertion of Infusion Line: The infusion line (catheter) is inserted into a central vein, usually in the chest area.
4. Connection and Monitoring: The catheter is connected to the infusion pump, and continuous monitoring of vital signs and medication levels is initiated.
   • Tools Used: Infusion pump, catheter, sterile dressing materials.
   • Anesthesia: Local anesthesia may be used for catheter insertion.

Duration

• Procedure Length: Initial setup can take 1-2 hours. The infusion itself is continuous.

Setting

• Location: Hospital or outpatient clinic setting.

  Personnel

• Involved: Doctors (often a cardiologist or pulmonologist), specialized nurses, sometimes an anesthesiologist for catheter insertion.

Risks and Complications

• Common Risks: Infection at the catheter insertion site, device malfunction.
• Rare Risks: Blood clots, air embolism, severe allergic reactions to the medication.

Benefits

• Expected Benefits: Continuous symptom relief, improved quality of life, stabilization of medical condition.
• Onset of Benefits: Patients may experience symptom relief within days to weeks.

Recovery

• Post-Procedure Care: Regular monitoring of the infusion site, medication levels, and overall health.
• Recovery Time: Patients can often resume normal activities within a few days, with restrictions on strenuous activities.

Alternatives

• Other Options: Oral medications, inhaled or subcutaneous drug delivery systems.
• Comparison: Infusion pumps provide more consistent drug levels and can be more effective for severe conditions.

Patient Experience

• During Procedure: Minimal discomfort during catheter insertion; numbness due to local anesthesia.
• After Procedure: Slight discomfort at the insertion site; ongoing monitoring and adjustments. Pain management and personal comfort measures will be provided.

This structured approach aims to deliver balanced and thorough information about the use of an infusion pump for uninterrupted parenteral administration of medication.