Factors influencing plasma transfusion practices in paediatric intensive care units around the world.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Plasma transfusions are a frequent treatment worldwide, but many studies have reported a wide variation in the indications to transfuse. Recently, an international paediatric study also showed wide variation in frequency in the use of plasma transfusions: 25% of the centres transfused plasma to >5% of their patients, whereas another 25% transfused plasma to <1% of their patients. The objective of this study was to explore the factors associated with different plasma transfusion practices in these centres. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Online survey sent to the local investigators of the 101 participating centres, in February 2016. Four areas were explored: beliefs regarding plasma transfusion, patients' case-mix in each unit, unit's characteristics, and local blood product transfusion policies and processes. RESULTS: The response rate was 82% (83/101). 43% of the respondents believed that plasma transfusions can arrest bleeding, whereas 27% believe that plasma transfusion can prevent bleeding. Centres with the highest plasma transfusion rate were more likely to think that hypovolaemia and mildly abnormal coagulation tests are appropriate indications for plasma transfusions (P = 0·02 and P = 0·04, respectively). Case-mix, centre characteristics or local transfusion services were not identified as significant relevant factors. CONCLUSION: Factors influencing plasma transfusion practices reflect beliefs about indications and the efficacy of transfusion in the prevention and management of bleeding as well as effects on coagulation tests. Educational and other initiatives to target these beliefs should be the focus of research.

Survey of the use of intracranial pressure monitoring in children in the United Kingdom.

OBJECTIVE: To establish current practice for the monitoring and management of acute intracranial hypertension in children in United Kingdom intensive care units (ICUs). DESIGN: Postal questionnaire, targetted by prior telephone survey, to all ICUs admitting five or more children per annum with acute neurological illness. RESULTS: Of the units contacted 70 % responded, approximately one-half of which reported the use of intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring. Only data from these units are presented. Nearly all of these units consider monitoring following serious head injury, but its use in non-traumatic brain injury is less widespread. The decision to institute ICP monitoring is based mainly upon neuroimaging appearances and Glasgow Coma Scale score. ICP and cerebral perfusion pressure targets differ markedly between centres, with only 46 % and 65 % of units, respectively, setting age-dependent parameters. Mannitol and varying degrees of hyperventilation are employed by all units to lower ICP. The majority also use barbiturates, diuretics, and fluid restriction. Controlled hypothermia is used in 52 % of units. Paediatric units are more likely to employ age-dependent cerebral perfusion pressure targets. Specific therapies employed to lower ICP are similar to those used in adult centres. CONCLUSION: Faced with a lack of both evidence and consensus, the management of acute intracranial hypertension in childhood varies widely. National or international guidelines for the management of children with raised intracranial pressure are needed. These should incorporate the physiological differences between children of different ages.

Near-fatal grape aspiration with complicating acute lung injury successfully treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

OBJECTIVE: In this report of a near-fatal case of grape aspiration successfully treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), we highlight the danger of feeding seedless grapes to young children and demonstrate that ECMO can provide cardiopulmonary support for cases of acquired large-airway disruption and can facilitate therapeutic intervention. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: A tertiary pediatric intensive care unit and ECMO center. PATIENT: A healthy 14-month-old boy aspirated a seedless grape while playing at home and suffered a cardiopulmonary arrest of 15 mins in duration. He responded to advanced life support with return of cardiac output but developed intractable cardiopulmonary failure secondary to aspirated grape particles and postobstructive pulmonary edema. INTERVENTIONS: The patient was emergently transferred to the regional ECMO center and placed on venoarterial ECMO. Bronchoscopies were performed in the stable environment provided by ECMO, aspirated particles were removed from the large airways, and lung recovery was facilitated. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: End-organ perfusion was restored via ECMO during a period of severe intractable cardiopulmonary failure. Pulmonary recovery occurred during a 6-day ECMO run and was facilitated by therapeutic bronchoscopy. The patient was reviewed 1 yr later and has made a full neurodevelopmental recovery, despite a 15-min out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. CONCLUSIONS: Aspiration of a seedless grape is a life-threatening event in a small child. This danger is not fully appreciated by parents in the UK. ECMO may be life saving in cases of acquired large-airway disruption resulting in severe cardiopulmonary failure, including foreign body aspiration, as long as end-organ perfusion is maintained.

Cardiac tamponade after varicella infection.

UNLABELLED: Infection with varicella zoster virus is common in childhood and generally associated with few complications. Myopericarditis following varicella infection is rare but may result in severe rhythm disturbances and congestive cardiac failure. The case is presented of a 4-month-old infant presenting with a large pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade 2 weeks after the onset of a varicella exanthem. Although Streptococcus was noted in the pericardial fluid, it could not be grown on bacterial culture and the subsequent clinical course was in keeping with a viral myopericarditis. CONCLUSION: Varicella infection in children may be complicated by myopericardial disease ranging from subclinical ECG changes to fulminant cardiac failure and/or cardiac tamponade. The clinical spectrum of this unusual complication is reviewed and the importance of early recognition emphasised.

The canadian association of internes and residents committee on family medicine.

Family medicine residents across Canada represent a unique body of physicians with exciting and different training experiences. Some 30 residents from each of the 16 university-administered Canadian family medicine programs meet twice annually as a subcommittee of the Canadian Association of Internes and Residents (CAIR), to exchange ideas and discuss issues of relevance to family medicine programs. The CAIR Committee on Family Medicine (CAIR-CFM) has direct liaison with the College of Family Physicians of Canada through its Board of Directors and various educational committees. CAIR-CFM has also been actively involved in other independent projects directly affecting the training of family medicine residents, including a review of every family medicine program, accreditation of programs, and policy recommendations.

Middle aortic syndrome in a boy with arteriohepatic dysplasia (Alagille syndrome).

Middle aortic syndrome is increasingly recognized as a cause of hypertension in adolescents and young adults. Alagille syndrome is a genetic disorder characterized by hepatic, eye, and bony abnormalities. Cardiovascular lesions occur in most of the patients, but narrowing of the abdominal aorta has not been previously recorded. We present an unusual association between middle aortic syndrome and Alagille syndrome, with a similar vascular lesion seen in two generations.

CT of staphylococcal anterior mediastinal abscess in an infant.

A 6-week-old girl presented with bronchiolitis secondary to respiratory syncytial virus. Eight days after admission she developed a Staphylococcus aureus infection at a previous intravenous cannula site. Despite antibiotic therapy this led to an anterior mediastinal staphylococcal abscess, which was drained surgically and the patient recovered. Mediastinal abscesses are rare in children: haematogenous spread of infection is an unusual aetiological factor and we believe this to be the first case reported due to an infected cannula site.

Inferior vena cava thrombosis as a complication of femoral vein catheterisation.

Indwelling femoral venous catheters were prospectively studied by ultrasonography to define the frequency and evolution of inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombosis. IVC thrombosis was identified in six of 56 catheters (54 children). Only one patient with a positive ultrasound scan had clinical signs of thrombosis. All children with IVC thrombosis had had catheters in place for over six days. It is recommended that either the femoral central venous catheters are routinely changed at six days or ultrasound studies are routinely performed twice a week in all patients with catheters in situ for six or more days and that the catheter is removed immediately if evidence of thrombosis appears.