Use of Munsell color charts to measure skin tone objectively in nursing home residents at risk for pressure ulcer development.

AIMS: To assess the feasibility of classifying skin tone using Munsell color chart values and to compare Munsell-based skin tone categories to ethnicity/race to predict pressure ulcer risk. BACKGROUND: Pressure ulcer classification uses level of visible tissue damage, including skin discoloration over bony prominences. Prevention begins with early detection of damage. Skin discoloration in those with dark skin tones can be difficult to observe, hindering early detection. DESIGN: Observational cohort of 417 nursing home residents from 19 nursing homes collected between 2009-2014, with weekly skin assessments for up to 16 weeks. METHODS: Assessment included forearm and buttocks skin tone based on Munsell values (Dark, Medium, Light) at three time points, ethnicity/race medical record documentation, and weekly skin assessment on trunk and heels. RESULTS: Inter-rater reliability was high for forearm and buttock values and skin tone. Mean Munsell buttocks values differed significantly by ethnicity/race. Across ethnicity/race, Munsell value ranges overlapped, with the greatest range among African Americans. Trunk pressure ulcer incidence varied by skin tone, regardless of ethnicity/race. In multinomial regression, skin tone was more predictive of skin damage than ethnicity/race for trunk locations but ethnicity/race was more predictive for heels. CONCLUSIONS: Given the overlap of Munsell values across ethnicity/race, color charts provide more objective measurement of skin tone than demographic categories. An objective measure of skin tone can improve pressure ulcer risk assessment among patients for whom current clinical guidelines are less effective.

Impact of stent implantation on pulmonary artery growth.

BACKGROUND: Goals of stent implantation (SI) in children with pulmonary artery (PA) stenosis are to relieve obstruction and improve flow to the distal vasculature. We evaluated stent impact on distal PA growth. METHODS: We compared data of children who underwent unilateral SI using the nonstenotic contralateral PA (CPA) as a control (1998-2005; f/u data through 2009). Main/lobar diameters measured at initial and f/u catheterizations were analyzed. RESULTS: For single ventricle (SV) patients (N = 18), the stented PA diameter (SPA D) increased 118%. At initial f/u catheterization (14 ± 9.6 months), both upper lobe (UL) and lower lobe (LL) growth of SPA was comparable to those of the CPA (UL:7% vs. 7%; P = 0.97); (LL:5% vs. 10%; P = 0.33). Subsequent f/u in 11/18 patients (mean 26 ± 20 months) revealed similar results: both UL and LL growth of SPA were comparable to those of the CPA (UL:51% vs. 27%; P = 0.3); (LL:18% vs. 21%; P = 0.62). For two-ventricle (2V) patients (N = 21), the SPAD increased 100%. At f/u, UL, and LL growth on SPA was similar to those of the CPA (UL: 32% vs. 21%; P = 0.37); (LL: 17% vs. 18%; P = 0.88). Subsequent f/u in 10/21 patients (mean 34 ± 14 months) showed UL growth of SPA was significantly greater than that of the CPA (44% vs. 21%; P = 0.05). LL growth of SPA was similar to that of the CPA (19% vs. 14%; P = 0.56). CONCLUSION: SI for PA stenosis is effective in promoting normal lobar growth in SV and 2V patients. Greater lobar growth was seen in 2V compared to SV pts at first f/u. Early, aggressive PA stenting is beneficial in promoting lobar branch growth.

Transverse aortic arch to descending aorta ratio: a new echocardiographic parameter for management of coarctation of the aorta in the infant.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to establish an objective criterion to help assess adequacy of the transverse arch in newborns with coarctation and thereby optimize preoperative surgical decision making. METHODS: Echocardiograms of 47 patients < 6 months of age who underwent coarctation repair from September 2005 to November 2008 and 47 age-matched healthy infants were reviewed. The proximal and distal transverse aortic arch to descending aorta ratios (TAA:DAO ratio) were calculated from the end-systolic proximal and distal transverse aortic arch diameters and diameter of the descending aorta at the diaphragm. RESULTS: Both the proximal and distal TAA:DAO ratios were significantly lower in the study vs. control group (P = .001) and in patients who underwent patch reconstruction of the aorta vs. extended end-to-end anastomosis (P = .014; P = .015). All patients who underwent patch reconstruction had a proximal and/or distal TAA:DAO < 0.65. A cutoff of 0.65 was derived based on our analyses and an algorithm was developed to guide decision making. Forty-six out of 47 patients were free from reintervention. CONCLUSION: The TAA:DAO ratio appears to be an accurate parameter by which the adequacy of the transverse arch can be assessed preoperatively using the proposed algorithm, and thus help determine the type of surgical intervention and approach.

Surgical approaches to epicardial pacemaker placement: does pocket location affect lead survival?

Permanent cardiac pacing in pediatric patients presents challenges related to small patient size, complex anatomy, electrophysiologic abnormalities, and limited access to cardiac chambers. Epicardial pacing currently remains the conventional technique for infants and patients with complex congenital heart disease. Pacemaker lead failure is the major source of failure for such epicardial systems. The authors hypothesized that a retrocostal surgical approach would reduce the rate of lead failure due to fracture compared with the more traditional subrectus and subxiphoid approaches. To evaluate this hypothesis, a retrospective chart review analyzed patients with epicardial pacemaker systems implanted or followed at Rady Children's Hospital San Diego between January 1980 and May 2007. The study cohort consisted of 219 patients and a total of 620 leads with epicardial pacemakers. Among these patients, 84% had structural congenital heart disease, and 45% were younger than 3 years at time of the first implantation. The estimated lead survival was 93% at 2 years and 83% at 5 years. The majority of leads failed due to pacing problems (54%), followed by lead fracture (31%) and sensing problems (14%). When lead failure was adjusted for length of follow-up period, no significant differences in the rates of failure by pocket location were found.

Stent implantation for coarctation of the aorta in children <30 kg.

OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to determine key characteristics of stents commonly implanted in the aorta through bench testing and to describe our technique and acute results in patients weighing <30 kg. BACKGROUND: Despite the increasing use of stents for interventional treatment for coarctation of the aorta (CoA) in larger patients, use of large stents is controversial in small children. METHODS: Methods included bench testing of large stents, and retrospective review of all patients over 1 year of age who had stent implantation for treatment of CoA. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on weight. Paired comparisons were made before and after stent implantation, and group outcomes were compared. RESULTS: Sixty patients comprised the entire sample, with 22 patients assigned to group I (<30 kg) and 38 patients assigned to group II (>or=30 kg). The mean minimum diameters of the CoA (group I 5.0 to 10.7 mm; group II 8.0 to 15.0 mm) and the ratio of the coarctation diameter to the descending aorta diameter measured at the level of the diaphragm (CoA/DAo ratio) (group I 0.4 to 0.93; group II 0.46 to 0.94) increased significantly in both groups (all p < 0.05). The mean systolic gradient decreased significantly in both groups (group I 23.0 to 2.0 mm Hg; group II 24.0 to 2.8 mm Hg; both p = 0.001). No difference was found between the groups in the CoA/DAo ratio, residual systolic gradients, or the decrease in systolic gradient after stent implantation. There were no significant complications in patients under 30 kg. CONCLUSIONS: As in larger patients, use of large stents for treatment of CoA in small children is effective and safe in the short term. In these patients, stent redilations will be required, and follow-up is ongoing.

Posttraumatic stress disorder in children after cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Children undergoing cardiac surgery often experience traumatic situations related to their care and may be at risk for developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The purpose of this study was to examine children's responses to cardiac surgery and the factors that mediate responses. STUDY DESIGN: Forty-three 5- to 12-year-old children undergoing cardiac surgery were evaluated pre- and postoperatively for PTSD. The effect of baseline cognitive level, temperament, family support, and length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay on PTSD symptomatology was examined. RESULTS: No child had PTSD pre-operatively. For the entire group, the number of PTSD symptoms increased significantly from pre- to postoperatively (Wilcoxon signed rank test; Z=-2.62, P<.001). PTSD symptoms increased in 10 (23%) children, decreased in 1 child, and did not change in 32 (74%) children. Five of the 43 children (12%) met criteria for PTSD postoperatively. Length of ICU stay was the only predictor of PTSD, P<.001. The number of PTSD symptoms increased if ICU stay exceeded 48 hours. CONCLUSIONS: Children undergoing cardiac surgery are at risk for developing PTSD, especially if the ICU stay is prolonged. These findings provide a basis to develop risk stratification methods and targeted interventions for this population.

Do paediatric cardiologists discuss cardiovascular risk factors with patients and their families?

Atherosclerotic disease of the heart likely has its origins in childhood. The promotion of cardiovascular health in children, however, has been studied only for those practicing in general paediatrics. We hypothesised that paediatric cardiologists do not consistently discuss cardiovascular risk factors with patients and their families. We therefore, carried out a nationwide survey of paediatric cardiologists to determine how often they discussed atherosclerosis and 4 modifiable risk factors, specifically weight, smoking, diet and nutrition, and physical activity. Only two-fifths reported that they discussed atherosclerotic disease frequently to always. For patients with cardiovascular disease, weight was discussed frequently to always by 59%, smoking by 61%, diet and nutrition by 63%, and physical activity by 92%. In contrast, for patients without cardiovascular disease, weight was discussed frequently to always by 35%, smoking by 46%, diet and nutrition by 39%, and physical activity by 62%. These differences are statistically significant (p < 0.003 by chi2 analysis). Cardiovascular risk factors were discussed more consistently as children grew older (p < 0.0001). Respondents stated that, in their opinion, the promotion of cardiovascular health was a role more appropriate for providers of primary care than for paediatric cardiologists (p < 0.0001). Constraints of time, and the perceived role of the cardiologist, were the most common barriers to anticipatory guidance. We suggest that these findings indicate that paediatric cardiologists can assume a more prominent role in preventive cardiology and education, although their precise role or roles, and the optimal methods of anticipatory guidance, remain controversial.

Measuring health-related quality of life in children with heart disease.

This study tested an instrument for measuring health-related quality of life (HRQL) in children with heart disease. HRQL was measured using the New York University Children's Heart Health Survey in a sample of 0- to 20-year-old subjects with heart disease compared with a control group. Heart disease was associated with impairment on all subscales except psychological function. Adolescent self-reports did not differ significantly between the cardiac group and healthy controls in any of the subscales. This instrument may be useful in assessing the impact of various treatment strategies in this population.