Cardiac Critical Care Fellowship Training in the United States and Canada: Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Society-Endorsed Subcompetencies to the 2022 Entrustable Professional Activities.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to define and map subcompetencies required for pediatric cardiac critical care (PCCC) fellowship education and training under the auspices of the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Society (PCICS). We used the 2022 frameworks for PCCC fellowship learning objectives by Tabbutt et al and for entrustable professional activities (EPAs) by Werho et al and integrated new subcompetencies to the EPAs. This complementary update serves to provide a foundation for standardized trainee assessment tools for PCCC. DESIGN: A volunteer panel of ten PCICS members who are fellowship education program directors in cardiac critical care used a modified Delphi method to develop the update and additions to the EPA-based curriculum. In this process, the experts rated information independently, and repetitively after feedback, before reaching consensus. The agreed new EPAs were later reviewed and unanimously accepted by all PCICS program directors in PCCC in the United States and Canada and were endorsed by the PCICS in 2023. PROCEDURE AND MAIN RESULTS: The procedure for defining new subcompetencies to the established EPAs comprised six consecutive steps: 1) literature search; 2) selection of key subcompetencies and curricular components; 3) written questionnaire; 4) consensus meeting and critical evaluation; 5) approval by curriculum developers; and 6) PCICS presentation and endorsement. Overall, 110 subcompetencies from six core-competency domains were mapped to nine EPAs with defined levels of entrustment and examples of simple and complex cases. To facilitate clarity and develop a future assessment tool, three EPAs were subcategorized with subcompetencies mapped to the appropriate subcategory. The latter covering common procedures in the cardiac ICU. CONCLUSIONS: This represents the 2023 update to the PCCC fellowship education and training EPAs with the defining and mapping of 110 subcompetencies to the nine established 2022 EPAs. This goal of this update is to serve as the next step in the integration of EPAs into a standardized competency-based assessment framework for trainees in PCCC.

The use of ketorolac may reduce opioid exposure in infants less than 6 months of age undergoing congenital heart surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Pain management for infants undergoing cardiothoracic surgery primarily utilises opioid analgesics. There is a paucity of data available for the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as ketorolac in this patient population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study evaluated patients between 30 days and 6 months undergoing cardiothoracic surgery. The primary endpoint evaluates ketorolac on reducing post-operative opioid use. RESULTS: Of 243 evaluated patient, 145 met inclusion. Baseline demographics were similar amongst the cohorts. Patients administered ketorolac used less cumulative opiates, in morphine milligram equivalents, for post-op days (POD) 1-3 after surgery compared to patients not receiving ketorolac (9.47 versus 12.68; p = 0.002). The no-ketorolac group required more opiates on POD 1 (10.9 versus 5; p < 0.001) and POD 2 (4.2 versus 2.5; p = 0.006) with no difference found on POD 3 (2 versus 1.6; p = 0.2). There was a mean increase from baseline to highest serum creatinine level on POD 1-3 in the no-ketorolac group compared to the ketorolac group (0.15 versus 0.09 mg/dL; p < 0.014), with no difference in stage 1 or stage 2 acute kidney injury. There were no differences in average chest tube output in mL/kg/day (0.24 versus 0.32; p = 0.569) or need for transfusion (36% versus 24%; p = 0.125), respectively. DISCUSSION: Scheduled administration of ketorolac after cardiothoracic surgery resulted in a significant reduction in opioid exposure, with no difference in rates of acute kidney injury or bleeding.

A comparison of high-flow nasal cannula versus non-invasive positive pressure ventilation for respiratory support in infants following cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: Following cardiac surgery, infants often remain endotracheally intubated upon arrival to the cardiac ICU. High-flow nasal cannula and non-invasive positive pressure ventilation are used to support patients following extubation. There are limited data on the superiority of either mode to prevent extubation failure. METHODS: We conducted a single-centre retrospective study for infants (<1 year) and/or <10 kg who underwent cardiac surgery between 3/2019-3/2020. Data included patient and clinical characteristics and operative variables. The study aimed to compare high-flow nasal cannula versus non-invasive positive pressure ventilation following extubation and their association with extubation failure. Secondarily, we examined risk factors associated with extubation failure. RESULTS: There were 424 patients who met inclusion criteria, 320 (75%) were extubated to high-flow nasal cannula, 104 (25%) to non-invasive positive pressure ventilation, and 64 patients (15%) failed extubation. The high-flow nasal cannula group had lower rates of extubation failure (11%, versus 29%, p = 0.001). Infants failing extubation were younger and had higher STAT score (p < 0.05). Compared to high-flow nasal cannula, non-invasive positive pressure ventilation patients were at 3.30 times higher odds of failing extubation after adjusting for patient factors (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Extubation failure after cardiac surgery occurs in smaller, younger infants, and those with higher risk surgical procedures. Patients extubated to non-invasive positive pressure ventilation had 3.30 higher odds to fail extubation than patients extubated to high-flow nasal cannula. The optimal mode of respiratory support in this patient population is unknown.

Use of a Modified Classic BT Shunt in a Patient With Multiple Conduit Obstructions With Positive Lupus Anticoagulant.

The use of a right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery conduit has re-emerged as a popular alternative to a systemic artery-to-pulmonary artery shunt in the Norwood procedure. Both proximal obstruction secondary to dynamic compression and distal obstruction at the anastomosis site with the pulmonary arteries are well described. In an effort to prevent complications, a technique where in the conduit is placed through the entire full thickness, or dunked, through the RV free wall has been described. We report a case of a patient with HLHS and positive lupus anticoagulant who developed recurrent conduit obstructions. The "Sano" was abandoned in favor of an autologous source of pulmonary blood flow-the modified Blalock-Taussig shunt using the "turn down" of the carotid artery.

Correlation Among Antifactor Xa, Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time, and Heparin Dose and Association with Pediatric Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Complications.

Anticoagulation is essential during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to prevent catastrophic circuit clotting. Several assays exist to monitor unfractionated heparin (UFH), the most commonly used anticoagulant during ECMO, but no single test or combination of tests has consistently been proven to be superior. This retrospective observational study examines the correlation among antifactor Xa level, activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and UFH dose and the association between antifactor Xa level and aPTT with survival and hemorrhagic and thrombotic complications. Sixty-nine consecutive neonatal and pediatric ECMO patients from September 2012 to December 2014 at a single institution were included. Spearman rank correlation was used to compare antifactor Xa level, aPTT, and UFH dose. Significant but poor correlation exists between antifactor Xa level and UFH dose ρ = 0.1 (p < 0.0001) and aPTT and UFH dose ρ = 0.26 (p < 0.0001). Antifactor Xa level and aPTT were weakly correlated to each other ρ = 0.38 (p < 0.0001). In an univariate analysis, there was no difference between survival and antifactor Xa level, aPTT, or UFH dose. Multiple anticoagulation tests may be superior to a single test during ECMO.

Successful Use of Pulmonary Cryotherapy for Tracheobronchial Thrombus Extraction and Recanalization of the Tracheobronchial Tree During a Pediatric Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Run.

Impacted pediatric tracheobronchial thrombus is an uncommon diagnosis. There are no clearly proven therapeutic options for airway casts due to a similar process, plastic bronchitis. Cryotherapy, specifically cryoextraction, has shown potential as a therapeutic option in adults with tracheobronchial thrombus and cast. We describe the novel application of this method in a complex pediatric patient.

Risk of development of treated retinopathy of prematurity in very low birth weight infants.

OBJECTIVE: Quantify the risk of treatment for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) among infants meeting current U.S. screening guidelines. STUDY DESIGN: Among infants ≤1500 g birth weight or ≤30 weeks gestation screened for ROP from 2006-2015, we developed a risk prediction model to identify infants treated for ROP. We applied our model to a separate infant cohort discharged in 2016. RESULT: Seventy-five thousand eight hundred and twenty one infants met inclusion criteria; 2306 (3%) were treated for ROP. Infants with several risk factor combinations (no ventilator support or oxygen on postnatal day 28, no history of necrotizing enterocolitis, and no intraventricular hemorrhage) were at low risk of ROP. Applied to 6127 infants discharged in 2016, our model had 97.9% sensitivity, 63.3% specificity, positive predictive value of 4.0%, and negative predictive value of 99.9%. CONCLUSION: Large numbers of infants at low risk of developing ROP are required to undergo screening. Refining current ROP guidelines may reduce unnecessary examinations.

Effects of Methadone on Corrected Q-T Interval Prolongation in Critically Ill Children.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the association between methadone use and corrected Q-T interval (QTc) prolongation in critically ill children. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of critically ill children receiving methadone at a tertiary care pediatric hospital was conducted. Patients younger than 19 years who had been admitted to the intensive care unit between January 1, 2009, and June 21, 2013, who had received methadone while inpatients, and who had had electrocardiograms (ECGs) performed within 30 days before and after methadone initiation were included. The primary outcome was the net change in QTc interval between baseline and postmethadone ECGs. Secondary outcomes included percent change in QTc interval and the proportion of patients whose QTc intervals changed from normal to prolonged following methadone initiation. We also evaluated potential predictors of QTc interval prolongation, including age, sex, admission diagnosis category, exposure to other QTc-prolonging medications, presence of congenital heart disease or known arrhythmias, and methadone daily dose and route of administration. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients met the inclusion criteria. The median (25th, 75th percentiles) change in QTc interval following methadone initiation was -8 msec (-34, 13.5 msec; p = 0.19). Five patients (8%) had a baseline normal QTc interval that became prolonged after methadone initiation. We identified no statistically significant predictors of QTc prolongation after methadone initiation. CONCLUSIONS: In this dedicated pediatric safety study, methadone initiation did not result in prolongation of the QTc interval. Although these findings suggest methadone initiation may not have a substantial effect of QTc prolongation in critically ill children, a controlled, prospective evaluation in this population remains warranted.

Instructional interactions of students with cognitive disabilities: sequential analysis.

We studied instructional interactions through semi-structured observation of 13 student- teacher dyads involving elementary students with cognitive disabilities. Special educators' use of directions and responses of differing modes and types was analyzed. Student task-engagement behaviors (i.e., active engage, disruptive, passive on-task, off-task) provided a context for understanding differences in teacher styles. Results indicate that teacher directions were followed by student active engagement; and teacher responses, by student passive task-orientation. This higher quality feedback from students, together with outerdirectedness of students with cognitive disabilities, is postulated as a mechanism that maintains a high level of teacher directiveness. Sequential relationship patterns changed as student engagement levels varied, suggesting a child-driven model of teacher-child instructional interactions.

The use of pulmonary clearance medications in the acutely ill patient.

INTRODUCTION: Retention of airway secretions occurs in disease, leading to airway plugging, atelectasis, and worsened respiratory mechanics, making airway clearance an important therapeutic target. Areas covered: Many medications designed to enhance clearance of airway secretions are available. We will review the medications available to enhance airway clearance, their mechanisms of action, and the evidence available for their use in acutely ill patients. Expert commentary: In the cystic fibrosis (CF) population, beneficial effects have been shown in pulmonary function with the use of some of these agents. In the non-CF population, there is limited evidence regarding these medications. While some studies have found benefit, the quality of evidence is low, making it difficult to draw conclusions. While certain patients may derive benefit, the general use of these medications in acutely ill patients without CF cannot be recommended at this time.

Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Micafungin in Infants Supported With Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

BACKGROUND: Candida is a leading cause of infection in infants on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Optimal micafungin dosing is unknown in this population because ECMO can alter drug pharmacokinetics (PK). METHODS: To characterize micafungin pharmacokinetics and safety in infants on ECMO, we conducted an open-label pharmacokinetics trial. Infants on ECMO either received intravenous micafungin 4 mg/kg every 24 h for invasive candidiasis prophylaxis or 8 mg/kg every 24 h when a fungal infection was suspected or confirmed. We collected plasma samples after single and multiple micafungin doses. We defined the therapeutic target as the adult exposure associated with efficacy in phase III trials and the prophylactic target as one-half of the therapeutic target. RESULTS: We enrolled 12 infants (124 samples) with a median age of 59 days. Using a 1-compartment model, median weight-normalized volume of distribution and clearance were 0.64 L/kg and 0.041 L/kg/h, respectively. Dose-exposure simulations revealed that doses of 2.5 and 5 mg/kg every 24 h matched exposure targets for prophylaxis and treatment of invasive candidiasis, respectively. We did not observe any drug-related adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: In infants on ECMO, micafungin volume of distribution was higher and clearance was in the upper range of previously published values for infants not on ECMO. Based on these data, we recommend dosing of 2.5 and 5 mg/kg every 24 h for prophylaxis and treatment of invasive candidiasis, respectively, to match adult exposure proven effective against Candida spp.

Is there still a role for high-frequency oscillatory ventilation in neonates, children and adults?

Critically ill patients with respiratory pathology often require mechanical ventilation and while low tidal volume ventilation has become the mainstay of treatment, achieving adequate gas exchange may not be attainable with conventional ventilator modalities. In attempt to achieve gas exchange goals and also mitigate lung injury, high frequency ventilation is often implemented which couples low tidal volumes with sustained mean airway pressure. This manuscript presents the physiology of high-frequency oscillatory ventilation, reviews the currently available data on its use and provides strategies and approaches for this mode of ventilation.

Brief report: Avoidance extinction as treatment for compulsive and ritual behavior in autism.

Treatment options for maladaptive repetitive behaviors associated with autism are limited. This is particularly so for ritual and compulsive forms of repetitive behavior, which commonly interfere with adaptive activities and may cause distress to individuals with autism and their families. The present study assessed an avoidance extinction approach to treatment of frequent, idiosyncratic ritual and compulsive behaviors among a small clinical sample (n = 3) of adults with autism and intellectual disability. Single case experimental design results indicate that intervention achieved extinction for 2 of the 3 participants, with the third showing a marked decrease in target behavior. A distinct extinction pattern consistent with functionally avoidant behavior was noted for the two participants who best responded to treatment.