Search

Acetaminophen is routinely used for perioperative analgesia in children undergoing major surgical procedures. There are few estimates of acetaminophen pharmacokinetic parameters in children with congenital heart disease, especially those with cyanotic heart disease.The current study prospectively investigated differences in acetaminophen pharmacokinetics following surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass in children with cyanotic and acyanotic congenital heart disease.Children (2-6 years, 9-23 kg) presenting for median sternotomy for Fontan palliation (cyanotic patients) or two ventricle surgical repair (acyanotic patients) were eligible for inclusion. A single intravenous dose of acetaminophen (15 mg/kg) was administered at the start of sternal closure after separation from cardiopulmonary bypass. The time-course of acetaminophen concentrations were described using non-linear mixed effects models. One and two-compartment disposition models with first-order elimination were tested. Pharmacokinetic parameter estimates were scaled using allometry and standardized to a 70 kg person.There were 208 acetaminophen concentrations assayed from 30 children, 15 with cyanotic, and 15 with acyanotic heart disease. A 2-compartment model best described acetaminophen PK. Parameter estimates (population parameter variability, PPV%; 95% confidence interval, CI) were clearance CL 15.3 L.h-1.70 kg-1 (22.2%; 13.8-16.7), intercompartment clearance Q 45.4 L.h-1.70 kg-1 (22.4%; 25.2-61.9), central volume of distribution V1 33.5 L.70 kg-1 (23.2%; 25.9-38.8), peripheral volume of distribution V2 32.1 L.70 kgAcetaminophen pharmacokinetics were characterized using a 2-compartment model with first-order elimination following cardiac bypass surgery in children. Population pharmacokinetic parameter estimates were similar to other studies in children. No differences were detected between patients with cyanotic and acyanotic heart disease.

A combination of helium and oxygen (heliox) can facilitate gas exchange and limit peak inspiratory pressures through reduced resistance to gas flow and decreased turbulent flow. The combination of these gases has been used for a variety of upper and lower airway conditions, including patients who were spontaneously breathing, receiving noninvasive ventilation, as well as during mechanical ventilation. To date, there are no reports regarding the use of heliox in patients with bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome following lung transplantation. We report the use of such a combination of gases in 2 patients with bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome following lung transplantation as a supportive measure to facilitate ventilation during the initial treatment course for acute respiratory failure in the ICU. A heliox mixture was administered with noninvasive ventilation and with mechanical ventilation through the ventilator in a heart-lung transplant recipient and a lung transplant recipient, respectively.

Patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) often have systemic manifestations with comorbid involvement of the cardiac and respiratory systems that increase the risk of anesthetic and perioperative morbidity. These patients frequently develop progressive myocardial involvement with cardiomyopathy, depressed cardiac function, and arrhythmias. The latter may necessitate the placement of an automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (AICD) insertion. As a means of avoiding the need for general anesthesia and its inherent potential of morbidity, regional anesthesia may be used in specific cases. We present two cases of successful AICD insertion in patients with DMD using unilateral pectoralis and intercostal nerve blocks supplemented with intravenous sedation. Relevant anatomy for this regional anesthetic technique is reviewed and benefits of this anesthetic technique compared to general anesthesia are discussed.

To provide the first account of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy failure secondary to abdominal compartment syndrome.Case report.Pediatric intensive care unit.A 4-month-old infant with cyanotic congenital heart disease and Escherichia coli sepsis developed abdominal distention and venous return failure on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.Emergency cardiac catheterization and atrial septectomy were performed.Central venous pressure of 120 mm Hg was measured, confirming the diagnosis of abdominal compartment syndrome.Abdominal compartment syndrome is a life-threatening condition resulting from an increase in intra-abdominal pressure that compromises abdominal organ perfusion, pulmonary function, and cardiac output. Mortality rates from abdominal compartment syndrome are as high as 60% in adults and children. This report of an infant with congenital heart disease and E. coli sepsis represents the first description of abdominal compartment syndrome that contributed to failure of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and ultimately death. The pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of abdominal compartment syndrome are also reviewed.

Few data exist on successes at reducing pediatric catheter-associated bloodstream infections (CA-BSI). The objective was to eradicate CA-BSI with a multifaceted pediatric-relevant intervention proven effective in adult patients.Prospective cohort of pediatric intensive care (PICU) patients with historical controls.Multidisciplinary PICU.PICU patients with intervention targeting PICU providers.Multifaceted intervention involving preintervention staff surveys, provider educational program, creation of central catheter procedure cart, guideline-supported central catheter insertion checklist, nursing staff empowerment to stop procedures that breached guidelines, and real-time data feedback to PICU leadership.We measured rate of CA-BSI per 1000 catheter days from August 2001 through September 2006. Reliable use of evidence-based best practices for insertion of central catheters in our PICU was associated with a statistically and clinically significant decrease in our CA-BSI rate for 24 months postintervention (p.05). During a portion of this postintervention period, we experienced a dramatic increase in our CA-BSI rate that was ultimately found to be due to the introduction of a new positive displacement mechanical valve intravenous port in April 2004. After removal of this positive displacement mechanical valve, our CA-BSI rate dropped from 5.2 +/- 4.5 CA-BSI per 1000 central catheter days to a rate of 3.0 +/- 1.9 CA-BSI per 1000 central catheter days. Chart review of postintervention CA-BSI cases revealed that these patients acquired CA-BSI weeks after both PICU admission and after insertion of the most recent central catheter.Our data show that improving practices for insertion of central catheters leads to a reduction of CA-BSI among pediatric patients but not elimination of CA-BSI. More research is needed to identify best practices for maintenance of central catheters for children. In addition, our experience shows that even despite good interventions to control CA-BSI, institutions must remain vigilant to factors such as new technology with apparent advantages but short track records of use.