Pediatric Surgical Pulmonary Valve Replacement Outcomes After Implementation of a Clinical Pathway.

BACKGROUND: Standardization of perioperative care can reduce resource utilization while improving patient outcomes. We sought to describe our outcomes after the implementation of a perioperative clinical pathway for pediatric patients undergoing elective surgical pulmonary valve replacement and compare these results to previously published national benchmarks. METHODS: A retrospective single-center descriptive study was conducted of all pediatric patients who underwent surgical pulmonary valve replacement from 2017 through 2020, after the implementation of a clinical pathway. Outcomes included hospital length of stay and 30-day reintervention, readmission, and mortality. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients (55% female, median age 11 [7, 13] years, 32 [23, 44] kg) were included in the study. Most common diagnosis and indication for surgery was Tetralogy of Fallot (61%) with pulmonary valve insufficiency (88%). All patients had prior cardiac surgery. Median hospital length of stay was 2 [2, 2] days, and longest length of stay was three days. There were no 30-day readmissions, reinterventions, or mortalities. Median follow-up time was 19 [9, 31] months. CONCLUSIONS: Formalization of a perioperative surgical pulmonary valve replacement clinical pathway can safely promote short hospital length of stay without any short-term readmissions or reinterventions, especially when compared with previously published benchmarks. Such formalization enables the dissemination of best practices to other institutions to reduce hospital length of stay and limit costs.

Subaortic Stenosis Resection in Children: Emphasis on Recurrence and the Fate of the Aortic Valve.

BACKGROUND: Recurrence after surgical resection of discrete subvalvar aortic stenosis in children often requires repeat operation. Risk factors for recurrence are poorly understood. We sought to determine potential risk factors for recurrence and postoperative comorbidities in the long term. METHODS: Retrospective chart review was performed on all pediatric patients who underwent surgical resection of discrete subaortic stenosis at our institution. Demographics, perioperative findings, and clinical data were analyzed for predisposing factors. RESULTS: From 1991 to 2015, a total of 104 patients underwent primary surgical resection of discrete subaortic stenosis. There were no postoperative deaths. Three (2.9%) patients required pacemaker implantation. Nine (8.4%) patients required repeat resection for recurrence of subaortic membrane over a median follow-up of 8.5 years (interquartile range: 5.9-13.5 years). Actuarial freedom from repeat resection was 100%, 94%, and 82% at one, five, and ten years, respectively. Repeat resection occurred more frequently in patients with genetic disease (37.5% vs 10.7%; P = .033) and preoperative mitral regurgitation (MR; 25% vs 1.2%; P < .001). Postoperative aortic insufficiency (AI) that was moderate or worse was associated with older age at the time of first resection (relative risk [RR]: 1.54, P < .05), moderate or severe preoperative AI (RR: 1.84, P = .002), and repeat resection of subaortic stenosis (RR: 1.90, P < .001). CONCLUSION: The majority of children who undergo surgical resection of subaortic stenosis will not experience recurrence in childhood and those who do require repeat resection may have a higher incidence of genetic disease and preoperative MR. Postoperative AI is associated with repeat resection, older age at the time of surgery, and degree of preoperative AI.

Role of Negative Pressure Wound Care and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Sternal Wound Infections After Pediatric Cardiac Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Sternal wound infections after pediatric cardiac surgery are uncommon but can be morbid. METHODS: We describe an institutional protocol for complicated sternal wounds utilizing hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) and negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT). PARTICIPANTS: A retrospective chart review (2001-2013) of 4,028 pediatric cardiac operations in 3,264 patients less than 18 years of age. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients (1.62%; 53/3,264) were diagnosed with clinical sternal wound infections. There were 27 (50.9%) males and 26 (49.1%) females. Thirty-seven (69.8%) patients received antibiotics and/or debridement; sixteen (30.2%) patients had more complicated infections requiring NPWT and/or HBO therapy. The time to heal for wounds treated with HBO and HBO + NPWT was a mean of 43.75 (±24.27) days (range: 21-98 days; median: 35 days). Among all infected patients, the time from diagnosis of the infection to resolution of the infection for all survivors was 7 to 98 days (mean: 26.41 days; median: 21 days). Forty-eight (90.6%) patients completely healed their wounds, and 45 (84.9%) patients are currently alive. Thirty-eight patients had a cyanotic cardiac diagnosis and 15 had an acyanotic cardiac diagnosis. The most common bacteria isolated from the blood or wound cultures was Staphylococcus aureus. Six of 53 patients died. Causes of death are as follows: three from respiratory failure, one from sepsis, one from hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, and one from exsanguination leading to cardiac arrest Conclusions: Complicated sternal wound infections after pediatric cardiac surgery refractory to antibiotic therapy and/or debridement can be successfully treated with NPWT and/or HBO therapy.

Improving Postoperative Neonatal Nutritional Practices in an Intensive Care Unit Using the PDSA Cycle.

Quality Improvement models offer a framework for health care professionals to follow in implementing process improvement changes. Use of these models promotes a systematic approach to problem solving, keeps providers from eliminating important steps, facilitates team work, and provides a clear plan for ongoing communication. This paper describes use of the Plan-Do-Study-Act model to implement a unit-based quality improvement project that focused on improving postoperative nutritional practices for neonates with critical congenital heart disease following complex cardiac surgery.

An Absorbable Hydrogel Spray Reduces Postoperative Mediastinal Adhesions After Congenital Heart Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Adhesions encountered during reoperative cardiac surgery can prolong operative time and increase operative risk. The purpose of this clinical study was to investigate the antiadhesion property of a synthetic bioabsorbable polymer spray after cardiac reoperations in infants. METHODS: A prospective randomized double-blinded study was designed. Forty infants requiring staged cardiac operations were randomly allocated to a study group (n = 20) or a control group (n = 20). The appropriate volume of the polymer was sprayed onto the mediastinal surfaces before chest closure after the first surgical procedure in the study group. At reoperation, adhesions were evaluated by a blinded investigator following a 5-grade scoring system. Five predetermined anatomic areas were scored. Incision to extracorporeal circulation time was also analyzed. RESULTS: In all, 40 subjects were enrolled into the study. Four babies died before the second operation. Three others were missed for reevaluation. The control group (n = 16) had longer incision to extracorporeal circulation time (38 ± 10 minutes) than the study group (n = 17; 23 ± 6 minutes; p < 0.001). The control subjects had significantly more severe adhesions than the study group at all five mediastinal areas: (1) retrosternal (p < 0.001); (2) base of the heart (large vessels [p < 0.05]); (3) right side (p < 0.01); (4) left side (p < 0.02); and (5) diaphragmatic side of the mediastinum (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The use of synthetic bioabsorbable polymer sealant spray at the end of primary pediatric cardiac surgery reduces the intensity of mediastinal adhesions and the reentry time in infants undergoing repeat median sternotomy.

A Post-operative Feeding Protocol to Improve Outcomes for Neonates With Critical Congenital Heart Disease.

Neonates with critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) are vulnerable to malnutrition during the post-operative period due to hypermetabolism and hypercatabolism. To improve nutritional outcomes during hospitalization, a nurse led post-operative enteral feeding protocol was implemented at a large U.S. children's hospital. During an eight-month implementation period, twenty-one neonates met protocol inclusion criteria. Days for neonates to achieve goal caloric feedings (120kcal/kg/day) were decreased. A one-way repeated measures analysis of variance showed serum albumin levels and serial anthropometric measurements improved significantly throughout hospitalization (p<0.005). Results from this quality improvement project show standardizing nutritional care for neonates with CCHD during the post-operative period is an effective way to improve nutritional outcomes and shorten length of hospital stay.

Extracardiac autologous pericardial tunnel Fontan allows implantation of an endocardial atrial lead for sinus node dysfunction.

Sinus node dysfunction is common after the Fontan procedure, and pacemaker implantation has been reported in 9.2% of Fontan patients. The two options for pacemaker implantation for sinus node dysfunction after the Fontan operation are epicardial lead placement, which allows for dual-chamber pacing, or transvenous atrial pacing. We report the first successful implantation of an endocardial atrial lead for sinus node dysfunction in a patient with an extracardiac lateral tunnel Fontan.

Abdominal compartment syndrome in children.

Abdominal compartment syndrome is defined as sustained intra-abdominal pressure greater than 20 mm Hg (with or without abdominal perfusion pressure <60 mm Hg) associated with new organ failure or dysfunction. The syndrome is associated with 90% to 100% mortality if not recognized and treated in a timely manner. Nurses are responsible for accurately measuring intra-abdominal pressure in children with abdominal compartment syndrome and for alerting physicians about important changes. This article provides relevant definitions, outlines risk factors for abdominal compartment syndrome developing in children, and discusses an instructive case involving an adolescent with abdominal compartment syndrome. Techniques for measuring intra-abdominal pressure, normal ranges, and the importance of monitoring in the critical care setting for timely identification of intra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome also are discussed.

Blake drains: a novel method of chest drainage after extracardiac fontan operation with autologous pericardium.

BACKGROUND: Pleural effusions after Fontan palliation remain a cause of increased length of stay, cost, and morbidity. We report our experience with Blake drains (BDs) and the outpatient pediatric pleural drain pathway after Fontan operation. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on all patients who underwent extracardiac lateral tunnel (ECLT) Fontan operation with pedicled autologous pericardium. Patients with prolonged pleural drainage were analyzed for predisposing factors. RESULTS: From March 1995 to December 2009, 162 patients (92 male, 56.8%) underwent ECLT Fontan operation. The median age at the time of Fontan operation was 30.9 months; the median weight was 12.9 kg. The median hospital stay was 4 days, and the median pleural drain requirement was 13 days. Prolonged pleural effusions occurred in 59 patients (36.4%), with prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass time identified as the only significant risk factor (p=0.04). Sixty patients (37%) were readmitted within 30 days of operation, with effusion requiring additional pleural drainage (n=41, 68.3%), infection (n=8, 13.3%), or a combination of the two (n=3, 5%) being the most common reason. There were two early deaths, neither of which was associated with BD malfunction. The BD clinical pathway for ECLT Fontan operation reduced our institutional cost to about $38,000 per patient, which represents a significant savings compared with traditional management with extended hospital stay after Fontan operation. CONCLUSIONS: Silicone BDs are safe and effective after ECLT Fontan operation. Hospital length of stay and cost can be significantly decreased when these drains are used with appropriate family involvement and close outpatient surveillance.

Pediatric critical care nurses' experience with abdominal compartment syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) is a syndrome associated with multi-system effects of elevated intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) in critically ill children. It has a 90-100% mortality rate if not recognized and treated promptly. Measuring IAP helps identify patients developing intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) which allows for timely intervention before progression to ACS. IAP helps identify ACS and guides its medical and surgical management. IAP is often measured by the bedside nurse in the intensive care unit. Pediatric critical care nurses (PCCN) play a key role in managing critically ill patients and recognizing potential causes for clinical deterioration such as ACS therefore should be knowledgeable about this entity. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the awareness and current knowledge of ACS among PCCN. METHODS: A ten-item written questionnaire was distributed at a National Critical Care Conference in 2006 and again in 2010. Participants of the conference voluntarily completed and immediately returned the survey. Results from the two questionnaires were compared. RESULTS: Sixty-two percent of 691 questionnaires were completed. The awareness of ACS improved from 69.3% in 2006 to 87.8% in 2010 (p < 0.001) among PCCN. "Years in practice" influenced awareness of ACS. Nurses working for 5-10 and > 10 years were, respectively, 2.34 and 1.89 times more likely to be aware of ACS than those working for < 5 years. Hands-on experience managing a child with ACS by PCCN also improved from 49.1% to 67.9% (p < 0.001) but remains low. The number of participants who never measured IAP fell from 27.3% to 19.1% (p = 0.101). The most common method being used to measure IAP is the bladder method. Knowledge of the definition of ACS remains poor with only 13.2% associating the definition of ACS with organ dysfunction in 2010 which was even lower than in 2006. CONCLUSIONS: There is increasing awareness of ACS and experience in its management among PCCN. However, few PCCN correctly understand the definition of ACS. Since recognition of IAH and early intervention can reduce morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients, further educational efforts should be directed toward improving the knowledge and recognition of ACS by PCCN.

Understanding of Abdominal Compartment Syndrome among Pediatric Healthcare Providers.

Background. The sparse reporting of abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) in the pediatric literature may reflect inadequate awareness and recognition among pediatric healthcare providers (HCP). Purpose. To assess awareness of ACS, knowledge of the definition and intraabdominal pressure (IAP) measurement techniques used among pediatric HCP. Method. A written survey distributed at two pediatric critical care conferences. Results. Forty-seven percent of 1107 questionnaires were completed. Participants included pediatric intensivists, pediatric nurses, and others. Seventy-seven percent (n = 513) of participants had heard of ACS. Only 46.8% defined ACS correctly. The threshold IAP value used to define ACS was variable among participants. About one-quarter of participants (83/343), had never measured IAP. Conclusion. Twenty-three percent of HCP surveyed were unaware of ACS. Criteria used to define ACS were variable. Focused education on recognition of ACS and measuring IAP should be promoted among pediatric HCP.