Pediatr Crit Care Me
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Mar 2019
Observational StudyCriteria for Clinically Relevant Bleeding in Critically Ill Children: An International Survey.
Bleeding, a feared complication of critical illness, is frequent in critically ill children. However, the concept of clinically relevant bleeding is ill-defined in this population. There are many established diagnostic criteria for bleeding, but only one estimates bleeding in critically ill adults, and none exist for critically ill children. Our objective was to identify the factors that influence pediatric intensivists' perception of clinically relevant bleeding. ⋯ This international survey provides a better understanding of the factors that influence the pediatric intensivists' assessment of the clinical relevance of bleeding in critically ill children. It provides the foundation for the development of a validated, diagnostic definition of clinically relevant bleeding in this population.
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Mar 2019
Case ReportsCatecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia: The Cardiac Arrest Where Epinephrine Is Contraindicated.
To raise awareness among pediatric intensive care specialists of catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia; an uncommon cause of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation arrest in children and young adults where epinephrine (adrenaline), even when given according to international protocols, can be counter-productive and life-threatening. We review three cases of cardiac arrest in children, later proven to be catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia related, where delay in recognition of this condition resulted in significantly longer resuscitation efforts, more interventions, and a longer time to return of spontaneous circulation. ⋯ Those involved in resuscitation of young people should be aware of catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia and be suspicious of persistent ventricular ectopy, polymorphic, or bidirectional ventricular tachycardia during resuscitation. Appropriate management is avoidance of epinephrine, administration of general anesthesia, IV opiates, and consideration of flecainide.
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Mar 2019
Association Between Tidal Volumes Adjusted for Ideal Body Weight and Outcomes in Pediatric Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.
The impact of tidal volume on outcomes in mechanically ventilated children with pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome remains unclear. To date, observational investigations have failed to calculate tidal volume based on standardized corrections of weight. We investigated the impact of tidal volume on mortality and probability of extubation in pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome using ideal body weight-adjusted tidal volume. ⋯ Our retrospective analysis of a cohort of pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome patients did not find a consistent association between tidal volume adjusted for ideal body weight and outcomes, although an association may exist in certain subgroups. Although it remains to be shown in a prospective trial whether high volumes or pressures are injurious in pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome, tidal volume is likely an imprecise parameter for titrating lung-protective ventilation.
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Mar 2019
Observational StudyPediatric Pulmonary Emboli at Autopsy: An Update and Case Series Review.
Identify and characterize pediatric pulmonary emboli present at autopsy. ⋯ Pulmonary embolus is a relatively rare but potentially fatal cause of death in pediatric age patients and is often associated with congenital abnormalities, malignancy, or recent surgical procedures. Half of the fatal pulmonary emboli found in our series (3/6) show microscopic and diffuse, rather than large central or saddle emboli, potentially make a clinicoradiographic diagnosis more difficult. This series is also the first to report a case of hemostatic matrix pulmonary embolism in a pediatric age patient.
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Mar 2019
Observational StudyProcalcitonin and Other Common Biomarkers Do Not Reliably Identify Patients at Risk for Bacterial Infection After Congenital Heart Surgery.
Following surgery, it is difficult to distinguish a postoperative inflammatory reaction from infection. This study examined the predictive value of the biomarkers; procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, lactate, neutrophils, lymphocytes, platelets, and the biphasic activated partial thromboplastin time waveform in diagnosing bacterial infection following cardiac surgery. ⋯ None of the biomarkers studied within 3 days of infection distinguished between infection and postoperative inflammatory reaction. However, procalcitonin kinetics peaked on postoperative day 2 and fell more sharply than C-reactive protein kinetics, which peaked at postoperative day 3. The monitoring of procalcitonin kinetics following cardiac surgery may help guide rational antimicrobial use.