Coma Prevalence in Critical Care Units in Chile: Results of a Cross-Sectional Survey on World Coma Day.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of coma among patients in critical care units in Chile. We also aimed to provide insight into the demographic characteristics, etiologies, and complications associated with coma. METHODS: A single day cross-sectional study was conducted through a national survey of public and private hospitals with critical and intensive cardiac care units across Chile. Data were collected using an online questionnaire that contained questions regarding critically ill patients' information, demographic characteristics, etiology and duration of coma, medical complications, and support requirements. RESULTS: A total of 84% of all health facilities answered, accounting for a total of 2,708 patients. The overall coma prevalence was 2.9%. The median age of the comatose patients was 61 years (interquartile range 50-72) and 66.2% were male. The median coma duration was five days (interquartile range 2-9). Cerebral hemorrhage was the most common etiology, followed by severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, acute ischemic stroke, and traumatic brain injury. A total of 48.1% of coma patients experienced acute and ongoing treatment complications, with pneumonia being the most common complication, and 97.4% required support during comatose management. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides an overview of the prevalence of coma in Chilean critical and cardiac care units. Coma is a common condition. Comatose patients frequently experience medical complications during their hospitalization.

[Assessment of two frailty scales for the preoperative period]. / Fragilidad: en busca de herramientas de evaluación preoperatoria.

BACKGROUND: In the perioperative context, a frailty evaluation scale must consider certain characteristics such as validation, execution speed, simplicity, the capacity to measure multiple dimensions and not being dependent on a cognitive or physical test that could not be performed prior to surgery. The test should select patients that could benefit from interventions aimed to improve their postoperative outcomes. AIM: To validate two frailty evaluation scales for the perioperative period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The Risk Analysis Index with local modifications (RAI-M) were applied to 201 patients aged 73 ± 7 years (49% women) and the Edmonton frailty scale were applied in 151 patients aged 73 ± 7 years (49% women) in the preoperative period. Their results were compared with the Rockwood frailty index. RESULTS: The Edmonton frail scale showed adequate psychometric properties and assessed multiple dimensions through 8 of the 11 original questions, achieving a discrimination power over 80% compared to the Rockwood Index. The RAI- M, demonstrated solid psychometric properties with a tool that examines 4 dimensions of frailty through 15 questions and reviewing the presence of 11 medical comorbidities. This scale had a discrimination power greater than 85% and it was significantly associated with prolongation of the planned hospital stay and mortality. CONCLUSIONS: RAI-M is a short and easily administered scale, useful to detect frailty in the preoperative period.

Therapeutic variability in infants admitted to Latin-American pediatric intensive units due to acute bronchiolitis. / Variabilidad terapéutica en lactantes con bronquiolitis hospitalizados en unidades de cuidados intensivos latinoamericanas.

The objective of this study was to describe the management of infants with acute bronchiolitis admit ted to 20 pediatric intensive care units (PICU) members of LARed in 5 Latin American countries. Pa tients and Method: Retrospective, multicenter, observational study of data from the Latin American Registry of Acute Pediatric Respiratory Failure. We included children under 2 years of age admitted to the PICU due to community-based acute bronchiolitis between May and September 2017. Demo graphic and clinical data, respiratory support, therapies used, and clinical results were collected. A subgroup analysis was carried out according to geographical location (Atlantic v/s Pacific), type of insurance (Public v/s Private), and Academic v/s non-Academic centers. Results: 1,155 patients were included in the registry which present acute respiratory failure and 6 were excluded due to the lack of information in their record form. Out of the 1,147 patients, 908 were under 2 years of age, and out of those, 467 (51.4%) were diagnosed with acute bronchiolitis, which was the main cause of admission to the PICU due to acute respiratory failure. The demographic and severity characteristics among the centers were similar. The most frequent maximum ventilatory support was the high-flow nasal can nula (47%), followed by non-invasive ventilation (26%) and invasive mechanical ventilation (17%), with a wide coefficient of variation (CV) between centers. There was a great dispersion in the use of treatments, where the use of bronchodilators, antibiotics, and corticosteroids, representing a CV up to 400%. There were significant differences in subgroup analysis regarding respiratory support and treatments used. One patient of this cohort passed away. Conclusion: we detected wide variability in respiratory support and treatments among Latin American PICUs. This variability was not explained by demographic or clinical differences. The heterogeneity of treatments should encourage collabora tive initiatives to reduce the gap between scientific evidence and practice.

Decreased lung compliance increases preload dynamic tests in a pediatric acute lung injury model.

BACKGROUND: Preload dynamic tests, pulse pressure variation (PPV) and stroke volume variation (SVV) have emerged as powerful tools to predict response to fluid administration. The influence of factors other than preload in dynamic preload test is currently poorly understood in pediatrics. The aim of our study was to assess the effect of tidal volume (VT) on PPV and SVV in the context of normal and reduced lung compliance in a piglet model. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Twenty large-white piglets (5.2±0.4kg) were anesthetized, paralyzed and monitored with pulse contour analysis. PPV and SVV were recorded during mechanical ventilation with a VT of 6 and 12mL/kg (low and high VT, respectively), both before and after tracheal instillation of polysorbate 20. RESULTS: Before acute lung injury (ALI) induction, modifications of VT did not significantly change PPV and SVV readings. After ALI, PPV and SVV were significantly greater during ventilation with a high VT compared to a low VT (PPV increased from 8.9±1.2 to 12.4±1.1%, and SVV from 8.5±1.0 to 12.7±1.2%, both P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This study found that a high VT and reduced lung compliance due to ALI increase preload dynamic tests, with a greater influence of the latter. In subjects with ALI, lung compliance should be considered when interpreting the preload dynamic tests.

Post-COVID-19 condition: a sex-based analysis of clinical and laboratory trends.

Background and aim: Post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) encompasses long-lasting symptoms in individuals with COVID-19 and is estimated to affect between 31-67% of patients, with women being more commonly affected. No definitive biomarkers have emerged in the acute stage that can help predict the onset of PCC, therefore we aimed at describing sex-disaggregated data of PCC patients from a local cohort and explore potential acute predictors of PCC and neurologic PCC. Methods: A local cohort of consecutive patients admitted with COVID-19 diagnosis between June 2020 and July 2021 were registered, and clinical and laboratory data were recorded. Only those <65 years, discharged alive and followed up at 6 and 12 months after admission were considered in these analyses. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to explore variables associated with PCC (STATA v 18.0). Results: From 130 patients in the cohort, 104 were contacted: 30% were women, median age of 42 years. At 6 months, 71 (68%) reported PCC symptoms. Women exhibited a higher prevalence of any PCC symptom (87 vs. 60%, p = 0.007), lower ferritin (p = 0.001) and procalcitonin (p = 0.021) and higher TNF levels (p = 0.042) in the acute phase compared to men. Being women was independently associated to 7.60 (95% CI 1.27-45.18, p = 0.026) higher risk for PCC. Moreover, women had lower return to normal activities 6 and 12 months. Conclusion: Our findings highlight the lasting impact of COVID-19, particularly in young women, emphasising the need for tailored post-COVID care. The lower ferritin levels in women are an intriguing observation, warranting further research. The study argues for comprehensive strategies that address sex-specific challenges in recovery from COVID-19.

Epidemiological and microbiological characteristics of S. aureus pediatric infections in Colombia 2018-2021, a national multicenter study (Staphylored Colombia).

Background: Staphylococcus aureus infections are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in pediatric populations worldwide. The Staphylo Research Network conducted an extensive study on pediatric patients across Colombia from 2018 to 2021. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological and microbiological characteristics of S. aureus in this patient group. Methods: We analyzed S. aureus isolates from WHONET-reporting centers. An "event" was a positive culture isolation in a previously negative individual after 2 weeks. We studied center characteristics, age distribution, infection type, and antibiotic susceptibilities, comparing methicillin sensitive (MSSA) and resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolates. Results: Isolates from 20 centers across 7 Colombian cities were included. Most centers (80%) served both adults and children, with 55% offering oncology services and 85% having a PICU. We registered 8,157 S. aureus culture isolations from 5,384 events (3,345 MSSA and 1,961 MRSA) in 4,821 patients, with a median age of 5 years. Blood (26.2%) and skin/soft tissue (18.6%) were the most common infection sources. Most isolates per event remained susceptible to oxacillin (63.2%), clindamycin (94.3%), and TMP-SMX (98.3%). MRSA prevalence varied by city (<0.001), with slightly higher rates observed in exclusively pediatric hospitals. In contrast, the MRSA rate was somewhat lower in centers with Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (ASP). MRSA was predominantly isolated from osteoarticular infections and multiple foci, while MSSA was more frequently associated with recurrent infections compared to MRSA. Conclusions: This is the largest study of pediatric S. aureus infections in Colombia. We found MSSA predominance, but resistance have important regional variations. S. aureus remains susceptible to other commonly used antibiotics such as TMP-SMX and clindamycin. Ongoing monitoring of S. aureus infections is vital for understanding their behavior in children. Prospective studies within the Staphylored LATAM are underway for a more comprehensive clinical and genetic characterization.

Mild hypothermia increases pulmonary anti-inflammatory response during protective mechanical ventilation in a piglet model of acute lung injury.

BACKGROUND: The effects of mild hypothermia (HT) on acute lung injury (ALI) are unknown in species with metabolic rate similar to that of humans, receiving protective mechanical ventilation (MV). We hypothesized that mild hypothermia would attenuate pulmonary and systemic inflammatory responses in piglets with ALI managed with a protective MV. METHODS: Acute lung injury (ALI) was induced with surfactant deactivation in 38 piglets. The animals were then ventilated with low tidal volume, moderate positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), and permissive hypercapnia throughout the experiment. Subjects were randomized to HT (33.5°C) or normothermia (37°C) groups over 4 h. Plasma and tissue cytokines, tissue apoptosis, lung mechanics, pulmonary vascular permeability, hemodynamic, and coagulation were evaluated. RESULTS: Lung interleukin-10 concentrations were higher in subjects that underwent HT after ALI induction than in those that maintained normothermia. No difference was found in other systemic and tissue cytokines. HT did not induce lung or kidney tissue apoptosis or influence lung mechanics or markers of pulmonary vascular permeability. Heart rate, cardiac output, oxygen uptake, and delivery were significantly lower in subjects that underwent HT, but no difference in arterial lactate, central venous oxygen saturation, and coagulation test was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Mild hypothermia induced a local anti-inflammatory response in the lungs, without affecting lung function or coagulation, in this piglet model of ALI. The HT group had lower cardiac output without signs of global dysoxia, suggesting an adaptation to the decrease in oxygen uptake and delivery. Studies are needed to determine the therapeutic role of HT in ALI.

Surfactant deactivation in a pediatric model induces hypovolemia and fluid shift to the extravascular lung compartment.

BACKGROUND: Surfactant deficiency is the pivotal abnormality in Neonatal and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Surfactant deactivation can produce hypoxemia, loss of lung compliance, and pulmonary edema, but its circulatory consequences are less understood. OBJECTIVE: To describe the sequential hemodynamic changes and pulmonary edema formation after surfactant deactivation in piglets. METHODS: Surfactant deactivation was induced by tracheal instillation of polysorbate 20 in 15 anesthetized and mechanically ventilated Large White piglets. The hemodynamic consequences of surfactant deactivation were assessed at 30, 120, and 240 min by transpulmonary thermodilution and traditional methods. RESULTS: Surfactant deactivation caused hypoxemia, reduced lung compliance, and progressively increased lung water content (P < 0.01). Early hypovolemia was observed, with reductions of the global end-diastolic volume and stroke volume (P < 0.05). Reduced cardiac output was observed at the end of the study (P < 0.05). Standard monitoring was unable to detect these early preload alterations. Surprisingly, the bronchoalveolar protein content was greatly increased at the end of the study compared with baseline levels (P < 0.01). This finding was inconsistent with the notion that the pulmonary edema induced by surfactant deactivation was exclusively caused by high surface tension. CONCLUSIONS: Hypovolemia develops early after surfactant deactivation, in part due to the resulting fluid shift from the intravascular compartment to the lungs.

[New morbidity following critical illness in Latin American children under 18 years old with lower respiratory tract infection]. / Nueva Morbilidad tras Enfermedad Crítica en Niños Latinoamericanos menores de 18 años con infección severa del tracto respiratorio inferior.

Acquisition of new morbidity (NM) has become a key clinical outcome measure after pediatric critical illness. Data on Latin American children are still scarce. OBJECTIVE: to analyze the development of new morbidities acquired after hospitalization due to lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in pediatric intensive care units (PICU). PATIENTS AND METHOD: we included patients from 35 PICUs from 8 countries, aged 0 to 18 years with a diagnosis of LRTI, discharged alive, registered between April 2018 and September 2019, and who required some type of ventilatory support (high-flow system, noninvasive ventilation or invasive ventilation), included in the LARed Network registry, which includes the Functional Status Scale (FSS) validated in the pediatric population, which assesses functional status in six domains: mental status, sensory, communication, motor skills, feeding, and respiratory status. NM considered LRTI after hospitalization and was defined as an increase of ≥ 3 points in the FSS. RESULTS: Of 3280 children with LRTI, 85 (2.6%) developed NM, associated with diagnoses of sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), pneumococcal or adenovirus infection, healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), and invasive mechanical ventilation. Adenovirus infection, ARDS, and HAIs were independently associated with NM. CONCLUSIONS: We observed that the development of NM at PICU discharge is infrequent but is associated with modifiable risk factors. These data define certain risk groups for future interventions and initiatives to improve the quality of care.

[Veno-arterial difference of carbon dioxide as a predictor of low cardiac output in an experimental pediatric model]. / Diferencia veno-arterial de dióxido de carbono como predictor de gasto cardiaco disminuido en modelo pediátrico experimental.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac output (CO) measurement is not a standard of care for critically ill children, but it can be estimated by indirect methods such as veno-arterial pCO2 difference (ΔVACO2). AIM: To determine the correlation between CO and ΔVACO2 and evaluate the usefulness of ΔVACO2 in the diagnosis of low CO in an experimental pediatric model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty piglets weighing 4.8 ± 0.35 kg were anesthetized and monitored with transpulmonary thermodilution. Lung injury was induced with tracheal instillation of Tween 20®. Serial measurements of central venous and arterial blood gases, as well as CO, were obtained at baseline, 1, 2 and 4 h after lung injury induction. Low cardiac output (LCO) was defined as CO lower than 2.5 Llminlm². RESULTS: There was an inverse correlation between CO and ΔVACO2 (r = -0.36, p < 0.01). ΔVACO2 was 14 ± 8 mmHg in LCO state and 8 ± 6 mmHg when this condition was not present (p < 0.01). Area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of ΔVACO2 and LCO state was 0.78 (0.68-0.86). The best cut-point was 8.9 mmHg to determine LCO with a sensibility 0.78, specificity 0.7, positive predictive value 0.27 and negative predictive value 0.96. CONCLUSIONS: In this model there was an inverse correlation between ΔVACO2 and CO. The best cutoff value to discard LCO was ΔVACO2 of 8.9 mmHg, indicating that under this value the presence of LCO is very unlikely.

Characteristics of Medically Transported Critically Ill Children with Respiratory Failure in Latin America: Implications for Outcomes.

Several challenges exist for referral and transport of critically ill children in resource-limited regions such as Latin America; however, little is known about factors associated with clinical outcomes. Thus, we aimed to describe the characteristics of critically ill children in Latin America transferred to pediatric intensive care units for acute respiratory failure to identify risk factors for mortality. We analyzed data from 2,692 patients admitted to 28 centers in the Pediatric Collaborative Network of Latin America Acute Respiratory Failure Registry. Among patients referred from another facility (773, 28%), nonurban transports were independently associated with mortality (adjusted odds ratio = 9.4; 95% confidence interval: 2.4-36.3).

Mild hypothermia attenuates lung edema and plasma interleukin-1ß in a rat mechanical ventilation-induced lung injury model.

Recent data suggest that deep hypothermia has protective effects on experimental induced lung injury. It is not well known if these effects persist with mild hypothermia. The authors hypothesized that mild hypothermia may attenuate lung injury and decrease local and systemic proinflammatory cytokines in a rat model of injurious mechanical ventilation (MV). Twelve Sprague-Dawley male adult rats were anesthetized, intubated, and randomly allocated to normothermia group (37°C) (NT) or mild hypothermia group (34°C) (MH). After 2 hours of deleterious MV (peak inspiratory pressure [PIP] 40 cm H(2)O, zero end-expiratory pressure [ZEEP], and inspiratory fraction of oxygen [Fio(2)] 100%), arterial blood gases, lung gravimetry, and histological study were obtained. Protein content, interleukin (IL)-1ß, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were measured in plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. Subjects that underwent MH had a significant lower wet-to-dry lung weight ratio (8.32 ± 0.28 vs. 10.8 ± 0.49, P = .01), IL-1ß plasma concentration (0.6 ± 0.6 vs. 10.27 ± 2.80 pg/mL, P = .0048) and PaCO(2). There were no differences in terms of PaO(2), histological injury, or BAL protein content. In this model of injurious mechanical ventilation, subjects treated with mild hypothermia had less lung edema and lower plasma IL-1ß. Some of known beneficial effects of deep hypothermia can be obtained with mild hypothermia.

Reduced PICU respiratory admissions during COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic reached the Southern Hemisphere in the autumn of 2020, thus coinciding with its expected annual viral respiratory season. The potential impact of national strategies aimed at mitigating COVID-19 during the pandemic on the incidence of other critical viral lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in children is unknown. METHODS: We analysed admission data for LRTIs from 22 paediatric intensive care units (PICUs) in four countries, part of a large international Latin American registry of children with acute respiratory failure (Red Colaborativa Pediátrica de Latinoamérica [LARed Network]). RESULTS: Between January and August, there were 83% fewer PICU admissions for LRTIs in 2020 compared to the 2018/2019 average over the same period. Similar decreases were noted for PICU admissions due to respiratory syncytial virus and influenza (92% and 78%, respectively). CONCLUSION: We observed a striking reduction in PICU admissions due to viral LRTIs over winter, during the COVID-19 pandemic in South America.

A REDCap application that links researchers, animal facility staff and members of the IACUC in animal health monitoring.

Research studies involving animal experimentation are regulated by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). To this end, the IACUC must integrate the information provided by the investigators of each preclinical study and the veterinarians from the animal facility in order to monitor and approve the process. Using a paper-based system to collect animal health and welfare data is a common, albeit time-consuming practice, prone to transcription and reading errors, not to mention inconvenient for veterinarians and investigators wishing to make timely and collaborative decisions when animal welfare is at risk. We created a web-based monitoring system focused on animal health with the potential to improve animal welfare. The data management system is based on REDCap software, which enables data integration in order to offer a solution for animal welfare assessment. The proposed scheme includes key indicators of general health status, such as environment, physical/nutritional information, and behavioral parameters during animal breeding and experimentation, as important components of animal welfare. In addition, the system facilitates communication of this information among researchers, animal facility staff, and the IACUC. REDCap is available to non-profit organizations, and may be adapted and replicated by institutions interested in and responsible for animal care, and used in research. REDCap is an excellent tool for promoting good practices that benefit experimental animal health.

Fragilidad: en busca de herramientas de evaluación preoperatoria / Assessment of two frailty scales for the preoperative period

Background: In the perioperative context, a frailty evaluation scale must consider certain characteristics such as validation, execution speed, simplicity, the capacity to measure multiple dimensions and not being dependent on a cognitive or physical test that could not be performed prior to surgery. The test should select patients that could benefit from interventions aimed to improve their postoperative outcomes. Aim: To validate two frailty evaluation scales for the perioperative period. Material and Methods: The Risk Analysis Index with local modifications (RAI-M) were applied to 201 patients aged 73 ± 7 years (49% women) and the Edmonton frailty scale were applied in 151 patients aged 73 ± 7 years (49% women) in the preoperative period. Their results were compared with the Rockwood frailty index. Results: The Edmonton frail scale showed adequate psychometric properties and assessed multiple dimensions through 8 of the 11 original questions, achieving a discrimination power over 80% compared to the Rockwood Index. The RAI- M, demonstrated solid psychometric properties with a tool that examines 4 dimensions of frailty through 15 questions and reviewing the presence of 11 medical comorbidities. This scale had a discrimination power greater than 85% and it was significantly associated with prolongation of the planned hospital stay and mortality. Conclusions: RAI-M is a short and easily administered scale, useful to detect frailty in the preoperative period.

Variabilidad terapéutica en lactantes con bronquiolitis hospitalizados en unidades de cuidados intensivos latinoamericanas / Therapeutic variability in infants admitted to Latin-American pediatric intensive units due to acute bronchiolitis

Resumen: Objetivo: describir las terapias utilizadas en lactantes con bronquiolitis aguda admitidos en 20 Uni dades de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI) pediátricos miembros de LARed en 5 países latinoamerica nos. Pacientes y Método: Estudio observacional retrospectivo, multicéntrico, de datos del Registro Latinoamericano de Falla Respiratoria Aguda Pediátrica. Se incluyeron niños menores de 2 años ingresados a UCI pediátrica por bronquiolitis aguda comunitaria entre mayo-septiembre 2017. Se recolectaron datos demográficos, clínicos, soporte respiratorio, terapias utilizadas y resultados clí nicos. Se realizó análisis de subgrupos según ubicación geográfica, tipo financiación y presencia de academia. Resultados: Ingresaron al registro 1155 pacientes con falla respiratoria aguda. Seis casos fueron excluidos por no tener formulario completo. De los 1147 pacientes, 908 eran menores de 2 años. De ellos, 467 tuvieron diagnóstico de bronquiolitis aguda, correspondiendo a la principal causa de ingreso a UCI pediátrica por falla respiratoria aguda (51,4%). Las características demográficas y de gravedad entre los centros fueron similares. El soporte máximo respiratorio más frecuente fue cánula nasal de alto flujo (47%), seguido por ventilación mecánica no invasiva (26%) y ventilación mecánica invasiva (17%), con un coeficiente de variación (CV) amplio entre los centros. Hubo una gran dispersión en uso de terapias, siendo frecuente el uso de broncodilatadores, antibióticos y corticoides, con CV hasta 400%. El análisis de subgrupos mostró diferencias significativas en soporte respiratorio y tratamientos utilizados. Un paciente falleció en esta cohorte. Conclusión: Detectamos gran variabilidad en el soporte respiratorio y tratamientos entre UCI pediátricas latinoamericanas. Esta variabilidad no es explicada por disparidades demográficas ni clínicas. Esta heterogeneidad de tratamientos debería promover iniciativas colaborativas para disminuir la brecha entre la evidencia científica y la práctica asistencial.

Abstract: The objective of this study was to describe the management of infants with acute bronchiolitis admit ted to 20 pediatric intensive care units (PICU) members of LARed in 5 Latin American countries. Pa tients and Method: Retrospective, multicenter, observational study of data from the Latin American Registry of Acute Pediatric Respiratory Failure. We included children under 2 years of age admitted to the PICU due to community-based acute bronchiolitis between May and September 2017. Demo graphic and clinical data, respiratory support, therapies used, and clinical results were collected. A subgroup analysis was carried out according to geographical location (Atlantic v/s Pacific), type of insurance (Public v/s Private), and Academic v/s non-Academic centers. Results: 1,155 patients were included in the registry which present acute respiratory failure and 6 were excluded due to the lack of information in their record form. Out of the 1,147 patients, 908 were under 2 years of age, and out of those, 467 (51.4%) were diagnosed with acute bronchiolitis, which was the main cause of admission to the PICU due to acute respiratory failure. The demographic and severity characteristics among the centers were similar. The most frequent maximum ventilatory support was the high-flow nasal can nula (47%), followed by non-invasive ventilation (26%) and invasive mechanical ventilation (17%), with a wide coefficient of variation (CV) between centers. There was a great dispersion in the use of treatments, where the use of bronchodilators, antibiotics, and corticosteroids, representing a CV up to 400%. There were significant differences in subgroup analysis regarding respiratory support and treatments used. One patient of this cohort passed away. Conclusion: we detected wide variability in respiratory support and treatments among Latin American PICUs. This variability was not explained by demographic or clinical differences. The heterogeneity of treatments should encourage collabora tive initiatives to reduce the gap between scientific evidence and practice.

La colaboración para mejorar los cuidados médicos de nuestros niños. El desarrollo de una Red Pediátrica Latinoamericana: LARed / Collaboration as a tool to improve children´s healthcare through a Latin American Pediatric Network: LARed / A colaboração como ferramenta no melhoramento do cuidado médico das crianças através do desenvolvimento duma Rede Pediátrica Latino-Americana: LARed

Las redes colaborativas pediátricas son una probada y transformadora forma de acelerar la traslación de la evidencia a la práctica clínica y han estado en constante crecimiento durante el presente siglo. Han mostrado ser una herramienta para asegurar la innovación y mejoría del valor de nuestros cuidados en salud, con el poder de comprometer a los clínicos, investigadores, pacientes y familias en diferentes escenarios sanitarios. Inspirados en la experiencia de la Vermont Oxford Network, en 2014 un grupo de profesionales voluntarios e independientes de Uruguay formaron una red colaborativa de cuidados intensivos pediátricos llamada LARed. Comprometidos en mejorar la calidad y seguridad de la atención que brindaban a sus pacientes y familias, establecieron una comunidad de prácticas poderosa que se expandió exponencialmente al continente latinoamericano e involucrando a la fecha 30 centros de ocho países. Su filosofía se basa en cuatro pilares: medir, aprender, mejorar y compartir, de forma que los centros con mejores resultados se vuelven una guía hacia la excelencia del grupo en general. Para lograr sus objetivos LARed dedica sus recursos para coordinar iniciativas de investigación, educativas y de mejoría de calidad, combinando el esfuerzo colectivo entre pares y manteniendo una base de datos on-line (a la fecha con más de 2.000 niños) creada para analizar las intervenciones y los resultados de la práctica clínica del mundo real (transformando entonces la información en acción). Este reporte describe el desarrollo de LARed, explica sus objetivos, visión y misión, así como resume las actividades y programas desarrollados desde su creación.

Pediatric collaborative networks are a proven and transformational mean of accelerating the translation of evidence into clinical practice and have expanded steadily in this century. They have become a tool for innovation and improving value in healthcare, engaging clinicians, researchers, patients and families in different healthcare settings. Inspired by the Vermont Oxford Network experience, a group of Uruguayan health professional volunteers started a collaborative pediatric intensive care network called LARed in 2014. Committed to improving healthcare quality and safety, they set up a strong community that has expanded exponentially to the rest of Latin America and presently includes 30 pediatric intensive care units from 8 countries. The network's philosophy lies on 4 pillars: measure, learn, improve and share, so that the best-performing centers can become leaders in excellence to the general collaboration group. In order to better achieve these goals, LARed dedicates resources to research coordination, educational and quality improvement initiatives, combines collective peer efforts and manintains web-based online databases (over 2,000 children at present) set up to analyze real world practice interventions and outcomes, thus transforming information into action. This paper describes LARed development, explains its goals, vision and mission, and summarizes the activities and programs carried out since it was first created.

As redes colaborativas pediátricas são uma forma comprovada e transformadora de acelerar a transferência de evidências para a prática clínica, e elas tem crescido constantemente durante este século. Elas transformaram-se numa ferramenta para garantir a inovação e melhorar o valor dos cuidados de saúde, e tem envolvido médicos, pesquisadores, pacientes e famílias em diferentes contextos de saúde. Inspirado pela experiência da Rede Vermont Oxford, em 2014, um grupo de profissionais da saúde voluntários e independentes do Uruguai formou uma rede colaborativa de cuidados pediátricos intensivos chamada LARed. Comprometidos com a excelência da qualidade e segurança dos cuidados prestados aos seus pacientes e familiares, eles estabeleceram uma forte comunidade de práticas que se expandiram exponencialmente para o continente latino-americano e envolveram 30 centros de oito países até o momento. Sua filosofia é baseada em 4 pilares: medir, aprender, melhorar e compartilhar, de modo que os centros com os melhores resultados se tornem um guia para a excelência do grupo em geral. Para atingir seus objetivos, a LARed dedica seus recursos para coordenar iniciativas de pesquisa, educação e melhoria da qualidade, combina o esforço coletivo entre pares e mantem um banco de dados on-line (atualizado com mais de 2000 crianças) criado para analisar intervenções e resultados da prática clínica do mundo real (transformando a informação em ação). Este paper descreve o desenvolvimento de LARed, explica seus objetivos, visão e missão e também resume as atividades e programas desenvolvidos desde a sua criação.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme insertion/deletion polymorphism is associated with severe hypoxemia in pediatric ARDS.

PURPOSE: The D allele of the insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of a 287-bp sequence in the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene has been associated with an increased activity of this enzyme. Its role in susceptibility to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has not been well defined. We hypothesized that ACE I/D genotype in pediatrics is associated with ARDS and plasma levels of angiotensin II. METHODS: Prospective case-control study in patients under 15 years of age from a mixed Chilean population. Sixty patients with ARDS and 60 controls were included. Association between ACE genotype and ARDS was evaluated as the primary outcome; mortality and severe hypoxemia were examined as secondary outcomes. Plasma angiotensin-II concentration was measured by immunoassay at admission. RESULTS: Frequency of ACE I/D genotype was similar in ARDS and control groups (p = 0.18). In the ARDS group, severe hypoxemia was less frequent in D allele carriers (p < 0.05). Plasma angiotensin-II levels were associated with genotype in the ARDS group, but not controls, being higher in D allele carriers (p = 0.016). CONCLUSION: These data do not support the association between ACE I/D genotype and ARDS, although severe hypoxemia was less frequent in D allele carriers. ACE I/D polymorphism modified angiotensin-II levels in pediatric ARDS, but its pathogenic role is not well understood and needs to be addressed in future studies.

Decreased lung compliance increases preload dynamic tests in a pediatric acute lung injury model / Una compliance pulmonar disminuida incrementa los test dinámicos de precarga en un modelo pediátrico de lesión pulmonar aguda

Background: Preload dynamic tests, pulse pressure variation (PPV) and stroke volume variation (SVV) have emerged as powerful tools to predict response to fluid administration. The influence of factors other than preload in dynamic preload test is currently poorly understood in pediatrics. The aim of our study was to assess the effect of tidal volume (V T) on PPV and SVV in the context of normal and reduced lung compliance in a piglet model. Material and method: Twenty large-white piglets (5.2 ± 0.4 kg) were anesthetized, paralyzed and monitored with pulse contour analysis. PPV and SVV were recorded during mechanical ventilation with a V T of 6 and 12 mL/kg (low and high V T, respectively), both before and after tracheal instillation of polysorbate 20. Results: Before acute lung injury (ALI) induction, modifications of V T did not significantly change PPV and SVV readings. After ALI, PPV and SVV were significantly greater during ventilation with a high V T compared to a low V T (PPV increased from 8.9 ± 1.2 to 12.4 ± 1.1%, and SVV from 8.5 ± 1.0 to 12.7 ± 1.2%, both P < 0.01). Conclusions: This study found that a high V T and reduced lung compliance due to ALI increase preload dynamic tests, with a greater influence of the latter. In subjects with ALI, lung compliance should be considered when interpreting the preload dynamic tests.

Introducción: Test dinámicos de precarga, variación de presión de pulso (PPV) y variación de volumen sistólico (SVV) han emergido como herramientas poderosas para predecir respuesta a la administración de fluidos. Actualmente la influencia de factores distintos a la precarga en la determinación de los test dinámicos de precarga es pobremente conocida en pediatría. Nuestro objetivo fue medir el efecto del volumen tidal (V T) sobre PPV y SVV en un contexto de compliance pulmonar normal y disminuida en un modelo porcino. Material y método: Veinte cerditos Large-White anestesiados y paralizados (5,2 ± 0,4 kg). PPV y SVV fueron medidos por análisis de contorno de pulso durante ventilación con V T de 6 y 12 mL/kg (V T bajo y alto, respectivamente), ambos previo y posterior a lesión pulmonar aguda (ALI) químicamente inducida con instilación traqueal de polisorbato 20. Resultados: Previo a inducción de ALI, PPV y SVV no tuvieron cambios significativos al modificar el V T. Sin embargo, después de ALI, PPV y SVV fueron significativamente mayores durante ventilación con V T alto, respecto a V T bajo (PPV aumentó de 8,9 ± 1,2 a 12,4 ± 1,1%, y SVV de 8,5 ± 1,0 a 12,7 ± 1,2%, ambos P < 0,01). Conclusiones: Este estudio encontró que un V T alto y una compliance pulmonar disminuida debido a ALI incrementan los test dinámicos de precarga, con una mayor influencia de esta última. En sujetos con ALI la compliance pulmonar debiera ser considerada al interpretar los test dinámicos de precarga.

Diferencia veno-arterial de dióxido de carbono como predictor de gasto cardiaco disminuido en modelo pediátrico experimental / Veno-arterial difference of carbondioxide as a predictor of low cardiac output in an experimental pediatric model

Background: Cardiac output (CO) measurement is not a standard of care for critically ill children, but it can be estimated by indirect methods such as veno-arterial pCO2 difference (ΔVACO2). Aim: To determine the correlation between CO and ΔVACO2 and evaluate the usefulness of ΔVACO2 in the diagnosis of low CO in an experimental pediatric model. Materials and Methods: Thirty piglets weighing 4.8 ± 0.35 kg were anesthetized and monitored with transpulmonary thermodilution. Lung injury was induced with tracheal instillation of Tween 20®. Serial measurements of central venous and arterial blood gases, as well as CO, were obtained at baseline, 1, 2 and 4 h after lung injury induction. Low cardiac output (LCO) was defined as CO lower than 2.5 Llminlm². Results: There was an inverse correlation between CO and ΔVACO2 (r = -0.36, p < 0.01). ΔVACO2 was 14 ± 8 mmHg in LCO state and 8 ± 6 mmHg when this condition was not present (p < 0.01). Area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of ΔVACO2 and LCO state was 0.78 (0.68-0.86). The best cut-point was 8.9 mmHg to determine LCO with a sensibility 0.78, specificity 0.7, positive predictive value 0.27 and negative predictive value 0.96. Conclusions: In this model there was an inverse correlation between ΔVACO2 and CO. The best cutoff value to discard LCO was ΔVACO2 of 8.9 mmHg, indicating that under this value the presence of LCO is very unlikely.