Pediatr Crit Care Me
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Jun 2013
Review Meta AnalysisA systematic review and meta-analysis on the effect of steroids in pediatric shock.
To systematically review randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of steroids conducted in children with fluid and/or vasoactive medication-dependent shock and evaluate and report on the quality and clinical and methodological heterogeneity of included trials. ⋯ The literature on the use of steroids in pediatric shock is limited in amount and methodological quality and demonstrates conflicting results. The limited evidence on which current guidelines are based strongly supports the need for a well-designed, pragmatic randomized controlled trial on the use of steroids in pediatric shock to inform future guidelines.
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The field of pediatric mechanical circulatory support with ventricular assist devices has lagged significantly behind that of adult patients. However, there is increasing attention on the emerging field of pediatric ventricular assist device support. In this review, part of the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Society/Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Joint Consensus Statement on Mechanical Circulatory Support, we discuss several important aspects of pediatric ventricular assist device, focusing on biomechanics and selection of the most appropriate device.