Aminophylline in pain and migraine.

Although the pathogenesis of migraine is not fully understood, accumulating evidence indicates migraine may be driven by impaired brain energy metabolism in the context of pathologically high levels of adenosine. Considerable evidence indicates that aminophylline, an adenosine receptor antagonist, can provide strong therapeutic relief in pain, particularly post-dural headache. Moreover, direct observations from a previously published observational case series have demonstrated a strong therapeutic impact of low-dose aminophylline in patients with severe, unremitting migraine attacks. Although higher doses of aminophylline are associated with an unfavourable adverse effect profile, low doses of aminophylline are associated with minimal adverse effects. Despite this promise, double-blinded randomized trials will be needed to determine the true therapeutic efficacy of low-dose aminophylline in migraine.

Comparative efficacy and safety of caffeine citrate and aminophylline in treating apnea of prematurity: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Methylxanthine, including caffeine citrate and aminophylline, is the most common pharmacologic treatment for apnea of prematurity. However, due to the lack of high-quality evidence, there are no clear recommendations or guidelines on how to choose between caffeine and aminophylline. OBJECTIVE: This meta-analysis aimed to assess the comparative efficacy and safety of caffeine and aminophylline for apnea of prematurity, and provide reliable evidence for clinical medication in the treatment for apnea of prematurity. METHODS: PubMed, Scopus, Embase, EBSCO, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases were systematically searched from May 1975 to June 2022. RESULTS: Ten studies including a total of 923 preterm infants were evaluated. Our results showed that there was no significant difference in the effective rate of 1-3days between caffeine and aminophylline (OR 1.05, 95%CI: 0.40-2.74, P = 0.914). However, for side effects such as tachycardia (OR 0.22, 95%CI: 0.13-0.37, P<0.001) and feeding intolerance (OR 0.40, 95%CI: 0.23-0.70, P = 0.001), the incidence rate was lower in the caffeine group compared with the aminophylline group. No significant difference was found in hyperglycemia (OR 0.45, 95%CI: 0.19-1.05, P = 0.064). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis reveals that caffeine citrate and aminophylline have similar therapeutic effectiveness on respiratory function, but caffeine has fewer side effects and should be considered first for treatment.

Use of ketamine in patients with refractory severe asthma exacerbations: systematic review of prospective studies.

PURPOSE: Asthma is a heterogeneous disease with a wide range of symptoms. Severe asthma exacerbations (SAEs) are characterized by worsening symptoms and bronchospasm requiring emergency department visits. In addition to conventional strategies for SAEs (inhaled ß-agonists, anticholinergics, and systemic corticosteroids), another pharmacological option is represented by ketamine. We performed a systematic review to explore the role of ketamine in refractory SAEs. METHODS: We performed a systematic search on PubMed and EMBASE up to August 12th, 2021. We selected prospective studies only, and outcomes of interest were oxygenation/respiratory parameters, clinical status, need for invasive ventilation and effects on weaning. RESULTS: We included a total of seven studies, five being randomized controlled trials (RCTs, population range 44-92 patients). The two small prospective studies (n = 10 and n = 11) did not have a control group. Four studies focused on adults, and three enrolled a pediatric population. We found a large heterogeneity regarding sample size, age and gender distribution, inclusion criteria (different severity scores, if any) and ketamine dosing (bolus and/or continuous infusion). Of the five RCTs, three compared ketamine to placebo, while one used fentanyl and the other aminophylline. The outcomes evaluated by the included studies were highly variable. Despite paucity of data and large heterogeneity, an overview of the included studies suggests absence of clear benefit produced by ketamine in patients with refractory SAE, and some signals towards side effects. CONCLUSION: Our systematic review does not support the use of ketamine in refractory SAE. A limited number of prospective studies with large heterogeneity was found. Well-designed multicenter RCTs are desirable.

Aminophylline at clinically relevant concentrations affects inward rectifier potassium current in a dual way.

Bronchodilator aminophylline may induce atrial or less often ventricular arrhythmias. The mechanism of this proarrhythmic side effect has not been fully explained. Modifications of inward rectifier potassium (Kir) currents including IK1 are known to play an important role in arrhythmogenesis; however, no data on the aminophylline effect on these currents have been published. Hence, we tested the effect of aminophylline (3-100 µM) on IK1 in enzymatically isolated rat ventricular myocytes using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. A dual steady-state effect of aminophylline was observed; either inhibition or activation was apparent in individual cells during the application of aminophylline at a given concentration. The smaller the magnitude of the control IK1, the more likely the activation of the current by aminophylline and vice versa. The effect was reversible; the relative changes at -50 and -110 mV did not differ. Using IK1 channel population model, the dual effect was explained by the interaction of aminophylline with two different channel populations, the first one being inhibited and the second one being activated. Considering various fractions of these two channel populations in individual cells, varying effects observed in the measured cells could be simulated. We propose that the dual aminophylline effect may be related to the direct and indirect effect of the drug on various Kir2.x subunits forming the homo- and heterotetrameric IK1 channels in a single cell. The observed IK1 changes induced by clinically relevant concentrations of aminophylline might contribute to arrhythmogenesis related to the use of this bronchodilator in clinical medicine.

Interventions for escalation of therapy for acute exacerbations of asthma in children: an overview of Cochrane Reviews.

BACKGROUND: Asthma is an illness that commonly affects adults and children, and it serves as a common reason for children to attend emergency departments. An asthma exacerbation is characterised by acute or subacute worsening of shortness of breath, cough, wheezing, and chest tightness and may be triggered by viral respiratory infection, poor compliance with usual medication, a change in the weather, or exposure to allergens or irritants. Most children with asthma have mild or moderate exacerbations and respond well to first-line therapy (inhaled short-acting beta-agonists and systemic corticosteroids). However, the best treatment for the small proportion of seriously ill children who do not respond to first-line therapy is not well understood. Currently, a large number of treatment options are available and there is wide variation in management. OBJECTIVES: Main objective - To summarise Cochrane Reviews with or without meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials on the efficacy and safety of second-line treatment for children with acute exacerbations of asthma (i.e. after first-line treatments, titrated oxygen delivery, and administration of intermittent inhaled short-acting beta2-agonists and oral corticosteroids have been tried and have failed) Secondary objectives - To identify gaps in the current evidence base that will inform recommendations for future research and subsequent Cochrane Reviews - To categorise information on reported outcome measures used in trials of escalation of treatment for acute exacerbations of asthma in children, and to make recommendations for development and reporting of standard outcomes in future trials and reviews - To identify relevant randomised controlled trials that have been published since the date of publication of each included review METHODS: We included Cochrane Reviews assessing interventions for children with acute exacerbations of asthma. We searched the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. The search is current to 28 December 2019. We also identified trials that were potentially eligible for, but were not currently included in, published reviews. We assessed the quality of included reviews using the ROBIS criteria (tool used to assess risk of bias in systematic reviews). We presented an evidence synthesis of data from reviews alongside an evidence map of clinical trials. Primary outcomes were length of stay, hospital admission, intensive care unit admission, and adverse effects. We summarised all findings in the text and reported data for each outcome in 'Additional tables'. MAIN RESULTS: We identified 17 potentially eligible Cochrane Reviews but extracted data from, and rated the quality of, 13 reviews that reported results for children alone. We excluded four reviews as one did not include any randomised controlled trials (RCTs), one did not provide subgroup data for children, and the last two had been updated and replaced by subsequent reviews. The 13 reviews included 67 trials; the number of trials in each review ranged from a single trial up to 27 trials. The vast majority of comparisons included between one and three trials, involving fewer than 100 participants. The total number of participants included in reviews ranged from 40 to 2630. All studies included children; 16 (24%) included children younger than two years of age. Most of the reviews reported search dates older than four years. We have summarised the published evidence as outlined in Cochrane Reviews. Key findings, in terms of our primary outcomes, are that (1) intravenous magnesium sulfate was the only intervention shown to reduce hospital length of stay (high-certainty evidence); (2) no evidence suggested that any intervention reduced the risk of intensive care admission (low- to very low-certainty evidence); (3) the risk of hospital admission was reduced by the addition of inhaled anticholinergic agents to inhaled beta2-agonists (moderate-certainty evidence), the use of intravenous magnesium sulfate (high-certainty evidence), and the use of inhaled heliox (low-certainty evidence); (4) the addition of inhaled magnesium sulfate to usual bronchodilator therapy appears to reduce serious adverse events during hospital admission (moderate-certainty evidence); (5) aminophylline increased vomiting compared to placebo (moderate-certainty evidence) and increased nausea and nausea/vomiting compared to intravenous beta2-agonists (low-certainty evidence); and (6) the addition of anticholinergic therapy to short-acting beta2-agonists appeared to reduce the risk of nausea (high-certainty evidence) and tremor (moderate-certainty evidence) but not vomiting (low-certainty evidence). We considered 4 of the 13 reviews to be at high risk of bias based on the ROBIS framework. In all cases, this was due to concerns regarding identification and selection of studies. The certainty of evidence varied widely (by review and also by outcome) and ranged from very low to high. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: This overview provides the most up-to-date evidence on interventions for escalation of therapy for acute exacerbations of asthma in children from Cochrane Reviews of randomised controlled trials. A vast majority of comparisons involved between one and three trials and fewer than 100 participants, making it difficult to assess the balance between benefits and potential harms. Due to the lack of comparative studies between various treatment options, we are unable to make firm practice recommendations. Intravenous magnesium sulfate appears to reduce both hospital length of stay and the risk of hospital admission. Hospital admission is also reduced with the addition of inhaled anticholinergic agents to inhaled beta2-agonists. However, further research is required to determine which patients are most likely to benefit from these therapies. Due to the relatively rare incidence of acute severe paediatric asthma, multi-centre research will be required to generate high-quality evidence. A number of existing Cochrane Reviews should be updated, and we recommend that a new review be conducted on the use of high-flow nasal oxygen therapy. Important priorities include development of an internationally agreed core outcome set for future trials in acute severe asthma exacerbations and determination of clinically important differences in these outcomes, which can then inform adequately powered future trials.

Caffeine not associated with irritable behaviour in very low-birth-weight infants.

This paper is an examination of irritable behaviour in very low-birth-weight infants in relation to caffeine or aminophylline. We assessed tremulous movement (a sub-score of General Movements Optimality Score) in 18 caffeine-treated subjects and 18 aminophylline-treated subjects. Caffeine, unlike aminophylline, was not associated with irritable behaviour at standard dose.

Risk factors for necrotizing enterocolitis in very preterm infants: a case-control study in southwest China.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to investigate perinatal risk factors for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in very preterm infants. METHODS: This retrospective study included all preterm infants with a gestational age <32 weeks attending our institution from 2013 to 2016. The NEC group comprised patients with NEC enrolled according to the inclusion criteria. Controls were selected from the database and were matched for gender, gestational age, and birth weight. Enumeration data are expressed as percentages (%) and were compared using the χ2 test. Quantitative data are expressed as the mean (standard deviation) and were compared using Student's t-test. Conditional logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the factors significantly associated with NEC. RESULTS: During the study period, 945 very preterm infants were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit, of whom 46 (4.87%) acquired NEC. A total of 33 cases were enrolled in the NEC group, and 33 controls were selected from the database. Univariate analyses revealed significant differences between groups in the incidence of maternal placenta previa, neonatal infection symptoms, septicemia, and intravenous aminophylline administration (p < .05). Conditional logistic regression analysis demonstrated statistically significant associations of neonatal septicemia (odds ratio [OR] = 4.000, p = .043) and intravenous aminophylline (OR = 4.922, p = .035) with NEC. CONCLUSION: Neonatal septicemia and intravenous aminophylline use are risk factors associated with NEC development in very preterm infants.

Effect of pre-administration with aminophylline on the occurrence of post-dural puncture headache in women undergoing caesarean section by combined spinal-epidural anaesthesia.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of the pre-administration with aminophylline on the occurrence of post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) in women undergoing caesarean section by combined spinal-epidural anaesthesia (CSEA). METHODS: The study enrolled women undergoing elective caesarean sections with CSEA and randomly allocated them into two groups; for 30 min immediately after the infant was delivered, group A received 250 mg aminophylline intravenously and group B received an equal volume of normal saline. Demographic data, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative transfusion volume and the occurrence of PDPH during the first 7 days after the operation were recorded. Side-effects such as hypersensitivity, convulsion and arrhythmia were also recorded in the patients and infants in group A within 24 h after aminophylline administration. RESULTS: A total of 120 patients aged 24-38 years (pregnancy range, 38-42 weeks) were randomly allocated into two groups ( n = 60). The incidence of PDPH in group A was significantly lower than group C (two of 59 [3.4%] versus 10 of 58 [17.2%], respectively). There were no related side-effects within 24 h after aminophylline administration in group A. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative intravenous infusion of 250 mg aminophylline reduced the incidence of PDPH after caesarean section under CSEA with no side-effects.

[Comparative Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Caffeine and Aminophylline for the Treatment of Apnea in Preterm Infants].

　Methylxanthine is widely administered for the treatment of apnea of prematurity in many countries, and previous reports have clearly established that caffeine is effective for the treatment of apnea of prematurity. In Japan, caffeine has been available since December 2014. Thus, we compared the efficacy and safety of caffeine with that of aminophylline in our hospital. There was no significant difference between the caffeine group and aminophylline group regarding the characteristics of the study patients. The mean efficacy rate from day 1 to day 10 was 89.5% in the caffeine group, and 81.9% in the aminophylline group, although the rate of improvement in apnea episodes each day from day 1 to day 10 was not significantly different between the two groups. On the other hand, the adverse event rates in the caffeine group and the aminophylline group were 70.6% and 75.0%, respectively. No significant difference was observed in the adverse event rates between the two groups. Moreover, suspected abdominal distension due to the drug administration was more frequently observed with the aminophylline group. Our findings indicate that caffeine is as effective as aminophylline, while it is superior to aminophylline regarding its overall safety.

Safety and Ergogenic Properties of Combined Aminophylline and Ambrisentan in Hypoxia.

We hypothesized that concomitant pharmacological inhibition of the endothelin and adenosine pathway is safe and improves exercise performance in hypoxic humans, via a mechanism that does not involve augmentation of blood oxygenation. To test this hypothesis, we established safety and drug interactions for aminophylline (500 mg) plus ambrisentan (5 mg) in normoxic volunteers. Subsequently, a placebo-controlled study was employed to test the combination in healthy resting and exercising volunteers at simulated altitude (4,267 m). No serious adverse events occurred. Drug interaction was minimal or absent. Aminophylline alleviated hypoxia-induced headaches. Aminophylline, ambrisentan, and their combination all significantly (P < 0.05 vs. placebo) improved submaximal hypoxic exercise performance (19.5, 20.6, and 19.1% >placebo). Single-dose ambrisentan increased blood oxygenation in resting, hypoxic subjects. We conclude that combined aminophylline and ambrisentan offer promise to safely increase exercise capacity in hypoxemic humans without relying on increasing blood oxygen availability.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy with use of salbutamol nebulisation and aminophylline infusion in a patient with acute asthma exacerbation.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, apical ballooning syndrome or stress-induced cardiomyopathy is characterised by transient left ventricular dysfunction, mimicking myocardial infarction in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease or acute plaque rupture on coronary angiography. The exact mechanism of myocardial dysfunction in Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is unknown; however, due to its association with physical and emotional stress, it is postulated that catecholamines play a central role in its pathogenesis. We present a case of a patient who was admitted with acute asthma exacerbation and was treated with ß-2 agonist nebulisation and intravenous aminophylline. During her hospital stay she developed Takotsubo cardiomyopathy.

Aminophylline Dosage In Asthma Exacerbations in Children: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Adequate asthma treatment of childhood exacerbations with IV aminophylline depends on appropriate dosage. Recommendations to aim for a target therapeutic range may be inappropriate as serum concentrations correlate poorly with clinical improvement. This review aims to evaluate the evidence for the optimum dosage strategy of intravenous aminophylline in children suffering an exacerbation of asthma. METHODS: A systematic review comparing dosage regimens of intravenous aminophylline in children suffering an exacerbation of asthma. Primary outcomes were time until resolution of symptoms, mortality and need for mechanical ventilation. Secondary outcomes were date until discharge criteria are met, actual discharge and adverse effects. DATA SOURCES: CENTRAL, CINAHL, MEDLINE and Web of Science. Search performed in March 2016. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Studies using intravenous aminophylline in children with an acute exacerbation of asthma which reported the dosage and clinical outcomes. FINDINGS: 14 RCTs were included. There is a poor relationship between the dosage administered to children and symptom resolution, length of stay or need for mechanical ventilation. This study is limited due to its use of indirect evidence. CONCLUSION: The currently recommended dosage regimens may not represent the optimum safety and efficacy of intravenous aminophylline. There is a need to develop the evidence base correlating dosage with patient centered clinical outcomes, to improve prescribing practices.

Aminophylline-associated irritable behaviour in preterm neonates.

AIM: This study investigated the effect of aminophylline on behaviour and autonomic function in the preterm period. METHOD: Subjects were preterm infants cared for in the Oita University hospital from August 2012 to October 2014. The group that was administered aminophylline (Am+) and the group that received no aminophylline (Am-) included 11 cases that exhibited a mean gestational age of 28weeks 5days and a mean birth weight of 1109g and 8 cases that exhibited a mean gestational age of 30weeks 5days and a mean birth weight of 1223g, respectively. Intravenous aminophylline was administered continuously at a dose of 4-6mg/kg/day followed by oral therapy when the infant suffered repetitive apnoea. Two-hour video recordings were obtained every 2weeks, and electrocardiograms were performed simultaneously. Onset-offset and tremulous movements in general movement (GM) optimality list were used as indices of behaviour. Autonomic functions were investigated via heart-rate and heart-rate variability measurements using frequency domain spectral analysis and the MemCalc method. We compared indices in 4 periods: 30-31, 32-33, 34-35 and 36-37weeks gestation. RESULTS: The Am+ group exhibited significantly low optimality of tremulous movements at 32-33weeks gestation. The autonomic parameters did not differ significantly between the Am+ and Am- groups. There was no significant correlation between GMs optimality score and serum theophylline concentration. CONCLUSION: Aminophylline administration was associated with transient irritable behaviour without autonomic changes in the preterm period.

Efficacy and safety of Linkus, Aminophylline diphenhydramine and acefyllin piperazine for the treatment of cough in children.

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of Linkus, Aminophylline with Diphenhydramine group and Acefyllin Piperazine with Diphenhydramine cough syrup on children having cough and sleep difficulty associated with cough. To determine the effects of Linkus polyherbal syrup (group A) and compared with other parallel allopathic groups (Group B and C) for cough on children and associated sleep quality and improvement. 360 children having cough inducted in 3 different groups randomly selected. Three parallel groups were the part of the study. The first study group was the herbal syrup Linkus, second group of children were taking a syrup of multinational pharmaceutical industry having Aminophylline plus Diphenhydramine however the third group received another famous brand having Acefyllin Piperazine with Diphenhydramine. Informed assent and informed consent have taken from the study subjects and their parents. Subjects with acute cough were included in the study however the subjects with chronic cough considered to be excluded. Every group of individual in the study was informed about the investigational drugs provided. Ethnic groups, frequency of cough and diseases illness (<0.05) were determine on every group on the investigational syrup. Cough impact on child and its sleep of three different syrups (every group) were assessed on day1 and day 14(p<0.001) via a likert scale. For the evaluation of pain assessment Wong baker face scale were used and level of significance in each group (p<0.001). Significant results were observed in the Linkus Group as compared to the other parallel groups including Aminophylline plus Diphenhydramine and Acefyllin Piperazine with Diphenhydramine on day 14 (p<0.001). Side effects on group B and group C (Aminophylline with Diphenhydramine and Acefyllin Piperazine with Diphenhydramine) were almost similar in number however Linkus syrup has minimum side effects on study duration. Polyherbal syrup Linkus shows better results in treatment of cough including side effects as compare to the other parallel groups B and C (Aminophylline with Diphenhydramine and Acefyllin Piperazine with Diphenhydramine). For nocturnal sleep Linkus providing better results in cough and associated problems. Pain were significantly reduce on day 14 with the herbal Linkus syrup group A (<0.001). Group B and C found less effective with more side effects as compared to Linkus syrup. Poly herbal Linkus syrup could substantially improve the clinical effect and relieves coughs and benefit lung functions and better sleep facilitation.

Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Very Low Birth Weight Infants Using Aminophylline for the Treatment of Apnea.

BACKGROUND: Aminophylline has been widely used in the treatment of apneic episodes in premature infants. Animal models suggest caution in the use of aminophylline as it may increase the cerebral metabolic rate and decrease the rate of anoxic survival in neonates. This study aimed to evaluate the neurological outcomes in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants treated with aminophylline for apnea in our neonatal intensive care unit. METHODS: All VLBW infants (body birth weight < 1500 g) admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit between January 2000 and December 2011 were enrolled in this retrospective study. Clinical characteristics and outcomes of these infants were reviewed and recorded. Scores on the Bayley Scales of Infant Development at 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months of corrected age were also recorded. The controls (who did not receive aminophylline) were matched for gestational age with the aminophylline group. RESULTS: The baseline characteristics of the aminophylline group and the control group were similar. The neurodevelopmental outcomes as well as rates of patent ductus arteriosus, brain injury, severe retinopathy of prematurity, and necrotizing enterocolitis were not significantly different between the two groups. Only bronchopulmonary dysplasia remained significantly higher in the aminophylline group after adjusting for risk factors (48.08% vs. 21.15%; adjusted odds ratio: 12.50; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Aminophylline therapy for apnea of prematurity had no apparent and additional risk on the neurodevelopmental outcomes of VLBW infants at a corrected age of 18 months. Further studies with a larger sample size are needed to confirm the adverse neurological effects of aminophylline treatment.

Salbutamol or aminophylline for acute severe asthma: how to choose which one, when and why?

Acute, severe exacerbations of asthma present a challenge due to the significant morbidity associated with this presentation. For exacerbations that are refractory to initial treatments with inhaled and oral therapies, there is still doubt about which intravenous therapies are most likely to be helpful. ß-2 agonists and aminophylline have differing mechanisms of action that also affect their adverse effects profiles and these are considered. A review of the available randomised control trials suggests that a bolus of intravenous salbutamol may reduce symptoms and hasten recovery. Aminophylline infusions may improve lung function, and in some studies have been shown to improve symptoms, but the evidence is not clear cut. Decisions about which treatment to use should include risk management considerations such as ease of prescription, preparation and administration factors and availability of high-dependency beds.

Arrhythmias in the paediatric intensive care unit: a prospective study of the rates and predictors of arrhythmias in children without underlying cardiac disease.

OBJECTIVE: Arrhythmias are common in patients admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit. We sought to identify the rates of occurrence and types of arrhythmias, and determine whether an arrhythmia was associated with illness severity and paediatric intensive care unit length of stay. DESIGN: This is a prospective, observational study of all patients admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit at the Children's Hospital at Montefiore from March to June 2012. Patients with cardiac disease or admitted for the treatment of primary arrhythmias were excluded. Clinical and laboratory data were collected and telemetry was reviewed daily. Tachyarrhythmias were identified as supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia, and arrhythmias causing haemodynamic compromise or for which an intervention was performed. RESULTS: A total of 278 patients met the inclusion criteria and were analysed. There were 97 incidences of arrhythmia in 53 patients (19%) and six tachyarrhythmias (2%). The most common types of arrhythmias were junctional rhythm (38%), premature atrial contractions (24%), and premature ventricular contractions (22%). Tachyarrhythmias included three supraventricular tachycardia (50%) and three ventricular tachycardia (50%). Of the six tachyarrhythmias, four were related to placement or migration of central venous lines and two occurred during aminophylline infusion. Patients with an arrhythmia had longer duration of mechanical ventilation and paediatric intensive care unit stay (p<0.001). In multivariate analysis, central venous lines (odds ratio 3.1; 95% confidence interval 1.3-7.2, p=0.009) and aminophylline use (odds ratio 5.1; 95% confidence interval 1.7-14.9, p=0.003) were independent predictors for arrhythmias. CONCLUSIONS: Arrhythmias were common in paediatric intensive care unit patients (19%), although tachyarrhythmias occurred rarely (2%). Central venous lines and use of aminophylline were identified as two clinical factors that may be associated with development of an arrhythmia.