Paediatric anaesthesia
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Oct 2021
ReviewMidlatency Auditory Evoked Potentials during Anesthesia in Children: a Narrative Review.
The brain is considered as the major target organ of anesthetic agents. Despite that, a reliable means to monitor its function during anesthesia is lacking. Mid latency auditory evoked potentials are known to be sensitive to anesthetic agents and might therefore be a measure of hypnotic state in pediatric patients. This review investigates the available literature describing various aspects of mid latency auditory evoked potential monitoring in pediatric anesthesia.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Sep 2021
ReviewPharmacokinetic Concepts for Dexmedetomidine Target-Controlled Infusion Pumps in Children.
Pharmacokinetic parameter estimates are used in mathematical equations (pharmacokinetic models) to describe concentration changes with time in a population and are specific to that population. Simulation using these models and their parameter estimates can enrich understanding of drug behavior and serve as a basis for study design. Pharmacokinetic concepts are presented pertaining to future designs of dexmedetomidine target-controlled infusion pumps in children. ⋯ In addition, the ideal loading dose and rate of delivery to achieve target concentration without adverse cardiovascular effects are reviewed, and finally, dose considerations for obese children, based on contact-sensitive half-time, are introduced. An understanding of context-sensitive half-time changes with age enables anesthetic practitioners to better estimate duration of effect after cessation of dexmedetomidine infusion. Use of these known pharmacokinetic parameters and covariate information for the pediatric patient could readily be incorporated into commercial target-controlled infusion pumps to allow effective and safe open-loop administration of dexmedetomidine in children.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Sep 2021
ReviewGrow and Advance through Intentional Networking (GAIN): a pilot program to foster connections within the Women's Empowerment and Leadership Initiative (WELI) in the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia.
The Women's Empowerment and Leadership Initiative in the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia was established to support women's efforts to achieve promotion, leadership positions, and equity in pediatric anesthesiology through coaching, mentoring, sponsorship, and networking. Career advancement relies on the establishment of mentoring relationships within institutions and at regional and national levels. Prior to the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic, networking was primarily conducted at large national meetings. ⋯ Programs like the Women's Empowerment and Leadership Initiative GAIN are critical for advancing our specialty and supporting the well-being of pediatric anesthesiologists. GAIN addresses barriers to professional networking, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Sep 2021
ReviewFactors Impacting Parental and Child Satisfaction in the Perioperative Setting.
Understanding the different modifiable and non-modifiable factors and their positive or negative influence on parental and child satisfaction is essential to providing high-quality perioperative care. The purpose of this review is to focus on the perioperative environment and to report the various modifiable and non-modifiable factors that are associated with satisfaction. ⋯ Interventions such as preparation programs integrating role-play, teaching of coping skills, and family-centered programs were highly rated by parents and children. Healthcare providers and institutions should consider the above variables when treating children and their parents in the perioperative setting.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Aug 2021
ReviewCarbon dioxide monitoring in children - a narrative review of physiology, value and pitfalls in clinical practice.
Continuous capnography has been recognised as an essential monitoring device in all anesthetized patients, despite which airway device is in use, regardless of their location, as a measure to improve patient safety. Capnography is the non-invasive measurement of a sample of the exhaled carbon dioxide which has multiple clinical uses including as a method to confirm placement of a tracheal tube and/or to assess ventilation, perfusion and metabolism. ⋯ The inaccuracies associated with these surrogate measures need to be considered to inform improved ventilation management of infants and children. This review highlights some major principles to understand the carbon dioxide elimination, the physiology of paediatric capnography, the clinical application and the limitations of capnography during anesthesia for neonates, infants and small children.