Importance of Informed Patient Conversations Regarding Subcutaneous Infusion Pumps for PD: Anvi Gadani, MD

WATCH TIME: 2 minutes

"You really have to have an informed conversation with your patient and explain to them, provide them all the options that are available."

Subcutaneous apomorphine infusion is a device-aided therapy for patients with Parkinson disease (PD), suitable for when motor fluctuations are not managed by oral or transdermal medication. This treatment approach is considered less invasive than enteral levodopa, deep brain stimulation (DBS), or focused ultrasound and is often used when neurosurgical options are not viable. Successful treatment with apomorphine infusion requires both patient and family concordance, as well as clinical support from an experienced medical team, especially in the early months of the patient being treated.¹

Recently, Anvi Gadani, MD, presented a review of various therapeutic delivery systems and surgical management options in a talk at the 3rd Annual Advanced Therapeutics in Movement and Related Disorders (ATMRD) Congress, held by the PMD Alliance from June 22-25, 2024. The types of treatments covered in the presentation included DBS, pump therapy, and focused ultrasound. In the talk, she spoke about how these options can impact the management of PD, essential tremor (ET), and dystonia. Moreover, Gadani covered how providers can communicate about the different types of treatments available to their patients, considering the benefits and risks, to manage the condition.

Gadani, an assistant clinical professor of medicine at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital, sat down with NeurologyLive^® at the Congress to discuss the advantages of subcutaneous infusion pumps over traditional surgical procedures. She also talked about how clinicians can ensure they are providing the most up-to-date and comprehensive information to their patients. Gadani, who also serves as a neurologist in the department of movement disorders at Montgomery Medical Center, spoke about the that factors should be considered when discussing therapeutic options with patients who have multiple medical conditions.

REFERENCES
1. Henriksen T, Katzenschlager R, Bhidayasiri R, Staines H, Lockhart D, Lees A. Practical use of apomorphine infusion in Parkinson's disease: lessons from the TOLEDO study and clinical experience. J Neural Transm (Vienna). 2023;130(11):1475-1484. doi:10.1007/s00702-023-02686-7