Resuscitating the macro- vs. microcirculation in septic shock.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review summarizes current literature about the relationships between macro and microcirculation and their practical clinical implications in children with septic shock. RECENT FINDINGS: Current evidence from experimental and clinical observational studies in children and adults with septic shock reveals that the response to treatment and resuscitation is widely variable. Furthermore, there is a loss of hemodynamic coherence, as resuscitation-induced improvement in macrocirculation (systemic hemodynamic parameters) does not necessarily result in a parallel improvement in the microcirculation. Therefore, patient-tailored monitoring is essential in order to adjust treatment requirements during resuscitation in septic shock. Optimal monitoring must integrate macrocirculation (heart rate, blood pressure, cardiac output, and ultrasound images), microcirculation (videomicroscopy parameters and capillary refill time) and cellular metabolism (lactic acid, central venous blood oxygen saturation, and difference of central venous to arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure). SUMMARY: There is a dire need for high-quality studies to assess the relationships between macrocirculation, microcirculation and tissue metabolism in children with septic shock. The development of reliable and readily available microcirculation and tissue perfusion biomarkers (other than lactic acid) is also necessary to improve monitoring and treatment adjustment in such patients.

Early detection of ocular lesions in critically ill children: Testing an ocular assessment scale.

OBJECTIVE: There is scarcity of data on the incidence and factors associated with the occurrence of ocular lesions in critically ill children. The objective was to test the applicability and utility of an ocular assessment scale and to identify risk factors of ocular lesions. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: A tertiary care medical-surgical Paediatric Intensive Care Unit. SAMPLE: 194 children without previous ocular disease who stayed in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit for more than 48 h. INTERVENTIONS: An ocular lesions risk scale was designed including risk factors lagophthalmos, eye dryness, conjunctival hyperemia, slow blinking, intubation, sedation, relaxation, face mask and hemodynamic instability. Patients were classified as high-, medium-, and low-risk patients. Corneal lesions were examined by fluorescein staining according to their risk and were confirmed by an ophthalmologist. RESULTS: 76 patients were examined with fluorescein staining. Thirty-two ocular lesions were detected by nursing staff, 26 confirmed by the ophthalmologist. 53.6% of the high-risk patients developed a corneal lesion. Univariate analysis revealed an association between ocular damage and all factors included in the scale, except for face mask. In the multivariate analysis, ocular lesions were associated with lagophthalmos, hyperemia, invasive mechanical ventilation and inotropic support. CONCLUSIONS: The scale was useful to detect corneal lesions in critically ill children. The identification of risk factors will enable the development of measures to reduce the incidence of ocular lesions. RELEVANCE FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE: A new, non-validated scale allowed staff to detect eye injuries, study this problem and improve future prevention.

Doppler ultrasound in the assessment of renal perfusion before and during continuous kidney replacement therapy in the pediatric intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess observer variability and describe renal resistive index (RRI) and pulsatility index (PI) before and after onset of continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT). A secondary objective was to correlate Doppler ultrasound findings with those from direct measurement of renal blood flow (RBF). METHODS: This is a prospective observational study in hemodynamically stable Maryland piglets with and without acute kidney injury (AKI) and in hemodynamically unstable critically ill children requiring CKRT. Doppler-based RRI and PI were assessed for each subject. Measurements were made by two different operators (pediatric intensivists) before and after CKRT onset. RESULTS: Observer variability assessment in the measurement of RRI and PI rendered a moderate correlation for both RRI (ICC 0.65, IQR 0.51-0.76) and PI (ICC 0.63, IQR 0.47-0.75). RRI and PI showed no correlation with RBF or urine output. Baseline RRI and PI were normal in control piglets [RRI 0.68 (SD 0.02), PI 1.25 (SD 0.09)] and those with AKI [RRI 0.68 (SD 0.03), PI 1.20 (SD 0.13)]. Baseline RRI and PI were elevated in critically ill children (RRI 0.85, PI 2.0). PI and RRI did not change with CKRT in any study group. CONCLUSIONS: Observer variability between inexperienced pediatric intensivists was comparable with that between senior and junior operators. Doppler-based calculations did not correlate with invasive measurements of RBF. RRI and PI were normal in hemodynamically stable piglets with and without AKI. RRI and PI were high in hemodynamically unstable patients requiring CKRT. RRI and PI did not change after CKRT onset, despite changes in hemodynamic status. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.

Latin American Consensus on the Management of Sepsis in Children: Sociedad Latinoamericana de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos [Latin American Pediatric Intensive Care Society] (SLACIP) Task Force: Executive Summary.

Objective: The aim of this study was to develop evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of sepsis in children in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), more specifically in Latin America. Design: A panel was formed consisting of 27 experts with experience in the treatment of pediatric sepsis and two methodologists working in Latin American countries. The experts were organized into 10 nominal groups, each coordinated by a member. Methods: A formal consensus was formed based on the modified Delphi method, combining the opinions of nominal groups of experts with the interpretation of available scientific evidence, in a systematic process of consolidating a body of recommendations. The systematic search was performed by a specialized librarian and included specific algorithms for the Cochrane Specialized Register, PubMed, Lilacs, and Scopus, as well as for OpenGrey databases for grey literature. The GRADEpro GDT guide was used to classify each of the selected articles. Special emphasis was placed on search engines that included original research conducted in LMICs. Studies in English, Spanish, and Portuguese were covered. Through virtual meetings held between February 2020 and February 2021, the entire group of experts reviewed the recommendations and suggestions. Result: At the end of the 12 months of work, the consensus provided 62 recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric sepsis in LMICs. Overall, 60 were strong recommendations, although 56 of these had a low level of evidence. Conclusions: These are the first consensus recommendations for the diagnosis and management of pediatric sepsis focused on LMICs, more specifically in Latin American countries. The consensus shows that, in these regions, where the burden of pediatric sepsis is greater than in high-income countries, there is little high-level evidence. Despite the limitations, this consensus is an important step forward for the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric sepsis in Latin America.

Pediatric In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest International Registry (PACHIN): protocol for a prospective international multicenter register of cardiac arrest in children.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Cardiac arrest (CA) in children is a major public health problem. Thanks to advances in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) guidelines and teaching skills, results in children have improved. However, pediatric CA has a very high mortality. In the treatment of in-hospital CA there are still multiple controversies. The objective of this study is to develop a multicenter and international registry of in-hospital pediatric cardiac arrest including the diversity of management in different clinical and social contexts. Participation in this register will enable the evaluation of the diagnosis of CA, CPR and post-resuscitation care and its influence in survival and neurological prognosis. METHODS: An intrahospital CA data recording protocol has been designed following the Utstein model. Database is hosted according to European legislation regarding patient data protection. It is drafted in English and Spanish. Invitation to participate has been sent to Spanish, European and Latinamerican hospitals. Variables included, asses hospital characteristics, the resuscitation team, patient's demographics and background, CPR, post-resuscitation care, mortality, survival and long-term evolution. Survival at hospital discharge will be evaluated as a primary outcome and survival with good neurological status as a secondary outcome, analyzing the different factors involved in them. The study design is prospective, observational registry of a cohort of pediatric CA. CONCLUSIONS: This study represents the development of a registry of in-hospital CA in childhood. Its development will provide access to CPR data in different hospital settings and will allow the analysis of current controversies in the treatment of pediatric CA and post-resuscitation care. The results may contribute to the development of further international recommendations. Trial register: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04675918. Registered 19 December 2020 - Retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT04675918?cond=pediatric+cardiac+arrest&draw=2&rank=10.

Hemodynamic disturbances and oliguria during continuous kidney replacement therapy in critically ill children.

BACKGROUND: About 1.5% of patients admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) will require continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT)/renal replacement therapy (CRRT). Mortality of these patients ranges from 30 to 60%. CKRT-related hypotension (CKRT-RHI) can occur in 19-45% of patients. Oliguria after onset of CKRT is also common, but to date has not been addressed directly in the scientific literature. METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted to define factors involved in the hemodynamic changes that take place during the first hours of CKRT, and their relationship with urinary output. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients who were admitted to a single-center PICU requiring CKRT between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2018, were included, of whom 56.3% developed CKRT-RHI. This drop in blood pressure was transient and rapidly restored to baseline, and significantly improved after the third hour of CKRT, as core temperature and heart rate decreased. Urine output significantly decreased after starting CKRT, and 72% of patients were oliguric after 6 h of therapy. Duration of CKRT was significantly longer in patients presenting with oliguria than in non-oliguric patients (28.7 vs. 7.9 days, p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: The initiation of CKRT caused hemodynamic instability immediately after initial connection in most patients, but had a beneficial effect on the patient's hemodynamic status after 3 h of therapy, presumably owing to decreases in body temperature and heart rate. Urine output significantly decreased in all patients and was not related to negative fluid balance, patient's hemodynamic status, CKRT settings, or kidney function parameters.

The clinical relevance of the microbiome when managing paediatric infectious diseases-Narrative review.

In recent years, the field of infectious diseases has been hit by the overwhelming amount of information generated while the human microbiome is being disentangled. Based on the interaction between the microbiota and the immune system, the implications regarding infectious diseases are probably major and remain a challenge. AIMS: This review was conceived as a comprehensive tool to provide an overview of the available evidence regarding the influence of the microbiome on infectious diseases in children. METHODS: We present the main findings aroused from microbiome research in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infectious disease under a paediatric perspective, to inform clinicians of the potential relevance of microbiome-related knowledge for translation to clinical practice. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The evidence shown in this review highlights the numerous research gaps ahead and supports the need to move forward to integrating the so-called microbiome thinking into our routine clinical practice.

Inhaled sedation with sevoflurane in critically ill children during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Sedation can be challenging in critically ill children. Inhaled anesthetics such as sevoflurane have proved to be useful in difficult or long-term sedation. However, its use in children out of the operating room is still limited and little is yet known about its use in patients undergoing ECMO with no previous reports in children. The objective is to assess the effectiveness and safety of sevoflurane during ECMO in two pediatric patients. Sedation was successfully achieved in both patients, and patients' contribution to breathing was possible even with deep sedation. There were not any side effects during sevoflurane treatment or after withdrawal.

Evaluation of the pediatric life support instructors courses.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results and quality of pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) instructor training courses. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of the results of 24 pediatric CPR instructor courses held over 21 years (1999 to 2019). The results of participants' evaluation of theory and practice sessions were analyzed. In addition, participants were asked to answer an anonymous survey to assess their opinion on the quality of theory and practice lessons, course organization and methodology, and instructor training. The results were compared by professional groups. RESULTS: A total of 560 participants completed the instructor course. Of them, 554 passed theory and practice tests (98.9 %). The mean score obtained in theory tests was 9.2 (0.8) out of 10. The mean score obtained in all practice tests was > 3.5 out of 5. Participants evaluated all the aspects of the course (theory and practice content, organization, teaching methodology, and instructors) with mean scores over 8 out of 10. CONCLUSIONS: Specific pediatric and neonatal CPR instructor courses are a cornerstone in the process of CPR training and ensuring the homogeneity and quality of training. Most of the participants obtained the qualification of instructors and their evaluation of the course was very positive.

Use of a Servo-Controlled Cooling Gel Pad System to Regulate Body Temperature in Critically Ill Children.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy and safety of a servo-controlled cooling pad system for target temperature management in critically ill pediatric patients. DESIGN: A prospective, single-center, observational study. SETTING: PICU of a tertiary hospital from September 2018 to September 2019. PATIENTS: Children from 28 days to 16 years old subjected to servo-controlled body temperature control. METHODS: The Arctic Sun 5000 system (Bard Medical, Covington, GA) and Arctic Gel Hydrogel pads were used for the purposes of the study. Data collected included demographics, indication of therapy, patient's body temperature, target temperature, time-to-target temperature, duration of therapy, and need to start or increase sedation and/or muscle relaxants. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 16 patients were included, of whom 68.8% were male; mean age was 4.7 years. The most frequent indication was fever associated with hemodynamic instability (62.5%). The target temperature was normothermia (36 or 36.5°C) in 81% of cases. Mean baseline body temperature was 37.6°C (± 1.2°C), and 50% of patients had fever (> 38°C). The mean speed of cooling was 1.2°C/hr (± 1°C/hr). Mean time to target temperature was 118 minutes (± 98.8 min). Mean duration of therapy was 68.7 hours (± 58.3 hr). Two patients had fever related to device disconnection during the treatment. At the start of the therapy, 15 patients were receiving sedative and analgesic drugs, and four received muscle relaxants. A patient required increased sedation, whereas another patient needed to start muscle relaxants. One of the patients developed a skin lesion in the axilla, no other adverse events were registered. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the small sample size, the results of the study showed that target temperature management by the servo-controlled gel pad system in critically ill pediatric patients was effective in achieving satisfactory temperature control and it was well-tolerated.

Hemodynamic impact of the connection to continuous renal replacement therapy in critically ill children.

BACKGROUND: Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is the treatment of choice for critically ill children with acute kidney injury. Hypotension after starting CRRT is frequent but very few studies have analyzed its incidence and clinical relevance. METHODS: A prospective, observational study was performed including critically ill children treated with CRRT between 2010 and 2014. Hemodynamic data and connection characteristics were collected before, during, and 60 min after CRRT circuit connection. Hypotension with the connection was defined as a decrease in > 20% of the mean arterial pressure from baseline or when intravenous fluid resuscitation or an increase in vasopressors was required. RESULTS: One hundred sixty-one connections in 36 children (median age 18.8 months) were analyzed. Twenty-eight patients (77.8%) were in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery, 94% had mechanical ventilation, and 86.1% had vasopressors. The heparinized circuit priming solution was discarded in 8.7% and infused to the patient in 18% of the connections. The circuit was re-primed in the remaining 73.3% using albumin (79.3%), red blood cells (4.5%), or another crystalloid solution without heparin (16.2%). Hypotension occurred in 49.7% of the connections a median of 5 min after the beginning of the therapy. Fluid resuscitation was required in 38.5% and the dose of vasopressors was increased in 12.4% of the connections. There was no relationship between hypotension and age or weight. Re-priming the circuit with albumin reduced the incidence of hypotension from 71.4 to 44.6% (p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Hypotension after the connection to CRRT is very frequent in critically ill children. Re-priming the circuit with albumin could improve hemodynamics during connection.

Sedative and Analgesic Drug Rotation Protocol in Critically Ill Children With Prolonged Sedation: Evaluation of Implementation and Efficacy to Reduce Withdrawal Syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: The first aim of this study was to assess the implementation of a sedative and analgesic drug rotation protocol in a PICU. The second aim was to analyze the incidence of withdrawal syndrome, drug doses, and time of sedative or analgesic drug infusion in children after the implementation of the new protocol. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: PICU of a tertiary care hospital between June 2012 and June 2016. PATIENTS: All patients between 1 month and 16 years old admitted to the PICU who received continuous IV infusion of sedative or analgesic drugs for more than 4 days were included in the study. INTERVENTIONS: A sedative and analgesic drug rotation protocol was designed. The level of sedation, analgesia, and withdrawal syndrome were monitored with validated scales. The relationship between compliance with the protocol and the incidence of withdrawal syndrome was studied. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: One-hundred pediatric patients were included in the study. The protocol was followed properly in 35% of patients. Sixty-seven percent of the overall cohort presented with withdrawal syndrome. There was a lower incidence rate of withdrawal syndrome (34.3% vs 84.6%; p < 0.001), shorter PICU length of stay (median 16 vs 25 d; p = 0.003), less time of opioid infusion (median 5 vs 7 d for fentanyl; p = 0.004), benzodiazepines (median 5 vs 9 d; p = 0.001), and propofol (median 4 vs 8 d; p = 0.001) in the cohort of children in which the protocol was followed correctly. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that compliance with the drug rotation protocol in critically ill children requiring prolonged sedation may reduce the appearance of withdrawal syndrome without increasing the risk of adverse effects. Furthermore, it may reduce the time of continuous IV infusions for most sedative and analgesic drugs and the length of stay in PICU.

Effectiveness of Two Targeted Temperature Management Methods After Pediatric Postcardiac Arrest: A Multicenter International Study.

OBJECTIVES: It is currently recommended that after return of spontaneous circulation following cardiac arrest, fever should be prevented using TTM through a servo-controlled system. This technology is not yet available in many global settings, where manual physical measures without servo-control is the only option. Our aim was to compare feasibility, safety and quality assurance of servo-controlled system versus no servo-controlled system cooling, TTM protocols for cooling, maintenance and rewarming following return of spontaneous circulation after cardiac arrest in children. DESIGN: Prospective, multicenter, nonrandomized, study. SETTING: PICUs of 20 hospitals in South America, Spain, and Italy, 2012-2014. PATIENTS: Under 18 years old with a cardiac arrest longer than 2 minutes, in coma and surviving to PICU admission requiring mechanical ventilation were included. METHODS: TTM to 32-34°C was performed by prospectively designed protocol across 20 centers, with either servo-controlled system or no servo-controlled system methods, depending on servo-controlled system availability. We analyzed clinical data, cardiac arrest, temperature, mechanical ventilation duration, length of hospitalization, complications, survival, and neurologic outcomes at 6 months. PRIMARY OUTCOME: feasibility, safety and quality assurance of the cooling technique and secondary outcome: survival and Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category at 6 months. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Seventy patients were recruited, 51 of 70 TTM (72.8%) with servo-controlled system. TTM induction, maintenance, and rewarming were feasible in both groups. Servo-controlled system was more effective than no servo-controlled system in maintaining TTM (69 vs 60%; p = 0.004). Servo-controlled system had fewer temperatures above 38.1°C during the 5 days of TTM (0.1% vs 2.9%; p < 0.001). No differences in mortality, complications, length of mechanical ventilation and of stay, or neurologic sequelae were found between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: TTM protocol (for cooling, maintenance and rewarming) following return of spontaneous circulation after cardiac arrest in children was feasible and safe with both servo-controlled system and no servo-controlled system techniques. Achieving, maintaining, and rewarming within protocol targets were more effective with servo-controlled system versus no servo-controlled system techniques.

An Exploratory Study of Sevoflurane as an Alternative for Difficult Sedation in Critically Ill Children.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the effectiveness of inhaled sevoflurane in critically ill children with challenging sedation. DESIGN: Prospective case series. SETTING: Two PICUs of university hospitals in Spain. INTERVENTIONS: Prospective observational study and exploratory investigation conducted in two PICUs in Madrid, Spain, over a 6-year period. Children treated with inhaled sevoflurane due to difficult sedation were included. Sevoflurane was administered via the anesthetic conserving device (AnaConDa) connected to a Servo-I ventilator (Maquet, Solna, Sweden). A morphine infusion was added to sevoflurane for analgesia. Demographic and clinical data, oral and IV sedatives, Sedation and Analgesic Clinical scores, and Bispectral Index Score monitoring were registered. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Twenty-three patients with a median age of 6 months old were included. Fifty percentage of the patients had critical heart diseases. Sedative and analgesic drugs used before starting sevoflurane were mainly midazolam (63%) and fentanyl (53%). Six patients (32%) also received muscle relaxants. Sevoflurane was administered for a median of 5 days (interquartile range, 5.5-8.5 d). Median end-tidal sevoflurane concentration was 0.8% (interquartile range, 0.7-0.85%), achieved with an infusion rate of 7.5 mL/hr (5.7-8.6 mL/hr). After 48 hours of treatment, some sedative drugs could be removed in 18 patients (78%). Median Bispectral Index Score value prior to sevoflurane administration was 61 (interquartile range, 49-62), falling to 42 (interquartile range, 41-47; p < 0.05) after 6 hours of treatment. Six patients (26%) presented withdrawal syndrome after sevoflurane suspension, and all of them had received sevoflurane at least for 6 days. The main side effect was moderate hypotension in seven patients (30%). CONCLUSIONS: Inhaled sevoflurane appeared to be an effective sedative agent in critically ill children and can be useful in those patients on mechanical ventilation difficult to sedate with conventional drugs. It can be administered easily in the PICU with conventional ventilators using the AnaConDa system. Withdrawal syndrome may occur with prolonged treatment.

Latin American Consensus for Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation 2017: Latin American Pediatric Critical Care Society Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Committee.

OBJECTIVES: To develop a Latin American Consensus about Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. To clarify, reinforce, and adapt some specific recommendations for pediatric patients and to stimulate the implementation of these recommendations in clinical practice. DESIGN: Expert consensus recommendations with Delphi methodology. SETTING: Latin American countries. SUBJECTS: Experts in pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation from 19 Latin American countries. INTERVENTIONS: Delphi methodology for expert consensus. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The goal was to reach consensus with all the participating experts for every recommendation. An agreement of at least 80% of the participating experts had to exist in order to deliver a recommendation. Two Delphi voting rounds were sent out electronically. The experts were asked to score between 1 and 9 their level of agreement for each recommendation. The score was then classified into three groups: strong agreement (score 7-9), moderate agreement (score 4-6), and disagreement (score 1-3). Nineteen experts from 19 countries participated in both voting rounds and in the whole process of drafting the recommendations. Sixteen recommendations about organization of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, prevention, basic resuscitation, advanced resuscitation, and postresuscitation measures were approved. Ten of them had a consensus of 100%. Four of them were agreed by all the participants except one (94.7% consensus). One recommendation was agreed by all except two experts (89.4%), and finally, one was agreed by all except three experts (84.2%). All the recommendations reached a level of agreement. CONCLUSIONS: This consensus adapts 16 international recommendations to Latin America in order to improve the practice of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in children. Studies should be conducted to analyze the effectiveness of the implementation of these recommendations.

Hemodynamic Effects of Connection to Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy in a Pediatric Animal Model.

To assess the hemodynamic effects of connection to continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) in a pediatric experimental animal model. Prospective experimental study was performed using piglets between 2 and 3 months of age and 9-11 kg. CRRT with a PrismaflexR monitor and HF20 filter (surface of 0.2 m2 ) was started after monitoring and anesthetic induction with an initial blood flow at 20 mL/min with 10 mL/min increases every minute until the goal flow of 5 mL/kg/min was achieved. Heart rate, blood pressure, central venous pressure, cardiac index, and renal blood flow were registered at baseline, 5, 15, 30, 60, 120, 180, 240, and 360 min. IBM SPSS Statistics 20.0 package was used for analysis. A P value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Thirty-four piglets were studied. Blood pressure, cardiac output, and systemic vascular resistance significantly decreased 5-min after CRRT connection (mean arterial pressure from 85.5 to 70.8 mm Hg, P < 0.001, cardiac index from 3.6 to 3.3 L/min/m2 P = 0.024, and systemic vascular resistance index from 1759 to 1607 dyn.s/cm5 P = 0.012). No significant changes were found in renal blood flow or central venous pressure. All parameters gradually increased at 15 and 30 min after connection but complete recovery was never achieved. Connection to CRRT produces a significant decrease in arterial pressure, cardiac index, and peripheral vascular resistances in hemodynamically stable piglets.

Quality of life in home-ventilated children and their families.

HMV (home mechanical ventilation) in children has increased over the last years. The aim of the study was to assess perceived quality of life (QOL) of these children and their families as well as the problems they face in their daily life.We performed a multicentric cross-sectional study using a semi-structured interview about the impact of HMV on families and an evaluation questionnaire about perceived QOL by the patient and their families (pediatric quality of life questionnaire (PedsQL4.0)). We studied 41 subjects (mean age 8.2 years). Global scores in PedsQL questionnaire for subjects (median 61.4), and their parents (median 52.2) were below those of healthy children. 24.4% received medical follow-up at home and 71.8% attended school. Mothers were the main caregivers (75.6%), 48.8% of which were fully dedicated to the care of their child. 71.1% consider economic and healthcare resources insufficient. All families were satisfied with the care they provide to their children, even though it was considered emotionally overwhelming (65.9%). Marital conflict and neglect of siblings appeared in 42.1 and 36% of families, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Perceived QOL by children with HMV and their families is lower than that of healthy children. Parents are happy to care for their children at home, even though it negatively affects family life. What is Known: • The use of home mechanical ventilation (HMV) in children has increased over the last years. • Normal family functioning is usually disrupted by HMV. What is New: • The aim of HMV is to provide a lifestyle similar to that of healthy children, but perceived quality of life by these patients and their parents is low. • Most of the families caring for children on HMV agree that support and resources provided by national health institutions is insufficient.

Amiodarone Versus Lidocaine for Pediatric Cardiac Arrest Due to Ventricular Arrhythmias: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: We performed a systematic review as part of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation process to create a consensus on science statement regarding amiodarone or lidocaine during pediatric cardiac arrest for the 2015 International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation's Consensus on Science and Treatment Recommendations. DATA SOURCES: Studies were identified from comprehensive searches in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. STUDY SELECTION: Studies eligible for inclusion were randomized controlled and observational studies on the relative clinical effect of amiodarone or lidocaine in cardiac arrest. DATA EXTRACTION: Studies addressing the clinical effect of amiodarone versus lidocaine were extracted and reviewed for inclusion and exclusion criteria by the reviewers. Studies were rigorously analyzed thereafter. DATA SYNTHESIS: We identified three articles addressing lidocaine versus amiodarone in cardiac arrest: 1) a prospective study assessing lidocaine versus amiodarone for refractory ventricular fibrillation in out-of-hospital adults; 2) an observational retrospective cohort study of inpatient pediatric patients with ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia who received lidocaine, amiodarone, neither or both; and 3) a prospective study of ventricular tachycardia with a pulse in adults. The first study showed a statistically significant improvement in survival to hospital admission with amiodarone (22.8% vs 12.0%; p = 0.009) and a lack of statistical difference for survival at discharge (p = 0.34). The second article demonstrated 44% return of spontaneous circulation for amiodarone and 64% for lidocaine (odds ratio, 2.02; 1.36-3.03) with no statistical difference for survival at hospital discharge. The third article demonstrated 48.3% arrhythmia termination for amiodarone versus 10.3% for lidocaine (p < 0.05). All were classified as lower quality studies without preference for one agent. CONCLUSIONS: The confidence in effect estimates is so low that International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation felt that a recommendation to use of amiodarone over lidocaine is too speculative; we suggest that amiodarone or lidocaine can be used in the setting of pulseless ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation in infants and children.

Evaluation of sublingual microcirculation in a paediatric intensive care unit: prospective observational study about its feasibility and utility.

BACKGROUND: Evaluation of the microcirculation in critically ill patients is usually done by means of indirect parameters. The aim of our study was to evaluate the functional state of the microcirculation by direct visualization of sublingual microcirculation using Sidestream Dark Field Imaging, to determine the correlation between these findings and other parameters that are commonly used in the clinical practice and to assess the applicability of the systematic use of this technique in critically ill children. METHODS: A prospective observational study was carried out in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of a tertiary referral hospital. All patients admitted to the PICU during a three-month period were included in the study after obtaining the informed consent from the patient. Systematic evaluation of sublingual microcirculation was done in these patients (Total Vessel Density, Proportion of Perfused Vessels, Perfused Vessel Density, De Backer Score, Microvascular Flow Index, Heterogeneity Index) within the first day of admission (T1) and between the second and third day of admission (T2). Other clinical, hemodynamic, and biochemical parameters were measured and registered simultaneously. When the evaluation of the microcirculation was not feasible, the reason was registered. Descriptive analysis of our findings are expressed as means, medians, standard deviations and interquartile ranges. Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon and Fisher tests were used to compare variables between patients with and without evaluation of the microcirculation. Pearson Correlation Coefficient (ρ) was used to evaluate the correlation between microcirculatory parameters and other clinical parameters. RESULTS: One hundred fine patients were included during the study period. Evaluation of the microcirculation was feasible in 18 patients (17.1%). 95.2% of them were intubated. The main reason for not evaluating microcirculation was the presence of respiratory difficulty or the absence of collaboration (95.1% on T1 and 68.9% on T2). Evaluated patients had a higher prevalence of intubation and ECMO at admission (72.2% vs. 14.9% and 16.6% vs. 1.1%, respectively), and longer median duration of mechanical ventilation (0 vs. 6.5 days), vasoactive drugs (0 vs. 3.5 days) and length of stay (3 vs. 16.5 days) than non-evaluated patients. There was a moderate correlation between microcirculatory parameters and systolic arterial pressure, central venous pressure, serum lactate and other biochemical parameters used for motoring critically ill children. CONCLUSIONS: Systematic evaluation of microcirculation in critically ill children is not feasible in the unstable critically ill patient, but it is feasible in stable critically ill children. Microcirculatory parameters show a moderate correlation with other parameters that are usually monitored in critically ill children.