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.

Análisis de causas atribuidas a "BRUE" entre los años 2017 a 2020 / Analysis of etiologies attributed to "BRUE" between the years 2017 to 2020

El término BRUE describe un evento en un lactante menor, repentino, breve, ya resuelto y sólo aplica cuando no existe una explicación para este episodio. Es escasa la literatura nacional e internacional sobre el estudio etiológico en BRUE. Objetivos: Caracterizar lactantes con episodio de BRUE y hacer un análisis etiológico. Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo, descriptivo lactantes hospitalizados por BRUE. Resultados: Se encontraron 50 lactantes con BRUE, la mayoría de ellos presentó un solo evento y ninguno requirió reanimación cardiopulmonar. Las características principales de los eventos fueron apnea, cianosis y tono disminuido. Las etiologías encontradas, más habituales, fueron reflujo gastro-esofágico, infección respiratoria, mala técnica alimentaria y crisis epilépticas. La evaluación clínica fue el principal elemento diagnóstico. Discusión: Nuestro análisis etiológico concuerda con la literatura nacional e internacional. La anamnesis y examen físico son la principal herramienta diagnóstica. Es fundamental contar con guías, adaptadas a la realidad nacional y local, que dirijan el estudio de lactantes con BRUE.

BRUE is an event occurring in an infant when the observer reports a sudden, brief, and now-resolved episode. BRUE is a diagnosis of exclusion and is used only when there is no explanation for the event after conducting an appropriate history and physical examination. There is little literature on the etiological study in BRUE. Objectives: To characterize infants with a BRUE episode and to carry out an etiological analysis. Methods: A retrospective study including infants who have experienced a BRUE between the years 2017 to 2020. Results: 50 infants with BRUE, most of them presented a single event and none required cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The main characteristics of the events were apnea, cyanosis and decreased tone. The most common etiologies found were gastroesophageal reflux, respiratory infection, poor feeding technique, and seizures. History and physical examination are the fundamental diagnostic tools. Discussion: Our etiological analysis agrees with the national and international literature. The clinical evaluation was the main diagnostic tool. It is essential to create local guidelines for the evaluation investigation and management of infants with BRUE.