Pediatr Crit Care Me
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Sep 2022
Monocyte Distribution Width in Children With Systemic Inflammatory Response: Retrospective Cohort Examining Association With Early Sepsis.
To investigate the association between increased monocyte distribution width (MDW) and pediatric sepsis in the emergency department (ED). ⋯ MDW greater than 23 U at presentation is associated with the early diagnosis of sepsis in children greater than or equal to 6 years old. This parameter should be considered as a stratification variable in studies of pediatric sepsis.
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Sep 2022
Exploratory Use of Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibition in Prevention of Blalock-Taussig Shunt Thrombosis.
Morbidity and mortality related to modified Blalock-Taussig shunt (mBTTS) thrombosis remain a significant risk. Platelet inhibition following mBTTS may reduce this risk. However, oral antiplatelet agents have variable absorption following surgery. We determine risk factors for mBTTS thrombosis and hypothesize that IV glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor (tirofiban) as a bridge to oral aspirin reduces the rate of shunt thrombosis in the immediate postoperative period. End points within the 14-day follow-up period include mBTTS thrombosis, overall thrombosis, bleeding, length of stay, and mortality. ⋯ Highest risk for shunt thrombosis following mBTTS occurs within the first few days after surgical procedure. Tirofiban is a safe addition to SOC and may be an effective strategy to prevent early mBTTS thrombosis.
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Sep 2022
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Candidacy Decisions: An Argument for a Process-Based Longitudinal Approach.
Are all children extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) candidates? Navigating ECMO decisions represents an enormous challenge in pediatric critical care. ECMO cannulation should not be a default option as it will not confer benefit for "all" critically ill children; however, "all" children deserve well-considered decisions surrounding their ECMO candidacy. The complexity of the decision demands a systematic, "well-reasoned" and "dynamic" approach. ⋯ To ensure a robust process, it should not be temporally constrained by cannulation status. We advocate that this approach will decrease both the risk of not initiating ECMO in a patient who will benefit and the risk of prolonged, nonbeneficial support. We conclude that to ensure fair decisions are made in a patient's best interest, organizations should develop procedurally fair processes for ECMO decision-making that are not tied to a particular time point and are revisited along the management trajectory.