Paediatric anaesthesia
-
Oxycodone pharmacokinetics have been described in premature neonates through to obese adults. Covariate influences have been accounted for using allometry (size) and maturation of oxycodone clearance with age. The target concentration is dependent on pain intensity that may differ over pain duration or between individuals. ⋯ Simulation was used to suggest loading and maintenance doses to attain an oxycodone concentration of 35 mcg.L-1 predicted in adults. Although the covariates age and weight contribute 92% variability for clearance, there remains variability accounting for 16% of concentrations outside the target range. Duration of analgesic effect after ceasing infusion is anticipated to be longer in neonates where context-sensitive halftime is greater than older children and adults.
-
Paediatric anaesthesia · Dec 2021
ReviewVolatile anesthetic agents for life-threatening pediatric asthma: A multicenter retrospective cohort study and narrative review.
Volatile anesthetic agents are described as rescue therapy for children invasively ventilated for critical asthma. Yet, data are currently limited to case series. ⋯ For intubated children for asthma, no differences in mechanical ventilation duration or mortality between those with and without volatile anesthetic exposure were observed. Although volatiles may represent a viable rescue therapy for severe cases of asthma, definitive, and prospective trials are still needed.
-
Paediatric anaesthesia · Dec 2021
Anesthesiologist-Related Factors Associated with Risk-Adjusted Pediatric Anesthesia-Related Cardiopulmonary Arrest: A Retrospective Two Level Analysis.
Pediatric anesthesia-related cardiac arrest is an uncommon but catastrophic adverse event which has been, in a previous study, associated with anesthesiologist-related factors such as number of days per year providing pediatric anesthesia. We aimed to replicate this and assess other anesthesiologist-related risk factors for anesthesia-related cardiac arrest after adjusting for known underlying risk factors present in the case mix. ⋯ Case mix explained all associations between higher risk of pediatric anesthesia-related cardiac arrest and anesthesiologist-related variables at our institution.
-
Difficult airway management in children is associated with significant morbidity. This narrative review on error traps in airway management aims to highlight the common pitfalls and proposes solutions to optimize best practices for pediatric difficult airway management. We have categorized common errors of pediatric difficult airway management into three main error traps: preparation, performance, and proficiency, and present potential strategies to improve patient safety and successful tracheal intubation in infants and children with difficult airways.