Pediatr Crit Care Me
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Jul 2006
Clinical TrialHigh-frequency oscillatory ventilation in pediatric patients with acute respiratory failure.
To evaluate the effectiveness of high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) in pediatric patients with acute respiratory failure, failing conventional ventilation. ⋯ In pediatric patients with acute respiratory failure, failing conventional ventilation, HFOV improves gas exchange in a rapid and sustained fashion. However, randomized controlled trials are needed to identify its benefits over conventional modes of mechanical ventilation.
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Pediatric critical care was formally recognized as a separate subspecialty in pediatrics in 1987. Since that time the numbers of pediatric intensivists, pediatric intensive care units, and pediatric intensive care beds in the United States have increased dramatically. Research efforts have lagged behind, however, as this new discipline has struggled to identify the necessary time, funding, and other resources to pursue clinical and laboratory investigation. ⋯ Six pediatric centers involving seven intensive care units and a data-coordinating center were identified through a competitive application process. Network goals include the support of collaborative clinical trials otherwise impracticable in single institutions and the establishment of a framework for developing the scientific basis for pediatric critical care practice. This article describes how the CPCCRN was established, its organization, and its goals and future plans.
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Jul 2006
Evaluation of clinical criteria for the acute respiratory distress syndrome in pediatric patients.
The primary goal of this study was to evaluate the validity of the North American-European Consensus Committee (NAECC) definition for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in pediatric patients. A secondary aim was to evaluate the threshold value for the PaO2/FiO2 ratio, used to determine which pediatric patients have ARDS. ⋯ Our study suggests the need for further research with larger number of children to identify an optimal Pao2/Fio2 threshold for identifying ARDS in this population.
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Jul 2006
Case ReportsHeparin-induced thrombocytopenia type II in an infant with a congenital heart defect--anticoagulation during cardiopulmonary bypass with epoprostenol sodium and heparin.
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia type II (HIT II) is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of heparin therapy. Hitherto, only few reports on HIT II in infants and children have been published. In particular, infants and children who have to be operated under cardiopulmonary bypass are at risk as an alternative anticoagulation is required. ⋯ In HIT II infants, pretreatment with epoprostenol sodium before reexposure to heparin may offer a safe and effective anticoagulation for cardiopulmonary bypass.
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Jul 2006
Editorial CommentBNP for pediatrics--not quite ready for primetime.