Comparison between noninvasive mechanical ventilation and standard oxygen therapy in children up to 3 years old with respiratory failure after extubation: a pilot prospective randomized clinical study.

OBJECTIVES: The effectiveness of noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation in preventing reintubation due to respiratory failure in children remains uncertain. A pilot study was designed to evaluate the frequency of extubation failure, develop a randomization approach, and analyze the feasibility of a powered randomized trial to compare noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation and standard oxygen therapy post extubation for preventing reintubation within 48 hours in children with respiratory failure. DESIGN: Prospective pilot study. SETTING: PICU at a university-affiliated hospital. PATIENTS: Children aged between 28 days and 3 years undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation for greater than or equal to 48 hours with respiratory failure after programmed extubation. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were prospectively enrolled and randomly assigned into noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation group and inhaled oxygen group after programmed extubation from May 2012 to May 2013. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Length of stay in PICU and hospital, oxygenation index, blood gas before and after tracheal extubation, failure and reason for tracheal extubation, complications, mechanical ventilation variables before tracheal extubation, arterial blood gas, and respiratory and heart rates before and 1 hour after tracheal extubation were analyzed. One hundred eight patients were included (noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation group, n = 55 and inhaled oxygen group, n = 53), with 66 exclusions. Groups did not significantly differ for gender, age, disease severity, Pediatric Risk of Mortality at admission, tracheal intubation, and mechanical ventilation indications. There was no statistically significant difference in reintubation rate (noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation group, 9.1%; inhaled oxygen group, 11.3%; p > 0.05) and length of stay (days) in PICU (noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation group, 3 [1-16]; inhaled oxygen group, 2 [1-25]; p > 0.05) or hospital (noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation group, 19 [7-141]; inhaled oxygen group, 17 [8-80]). CONCLUSIONS: The study indicates that a larger randomized trial comparing noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation and standard oxygen therapy in children with respiratory failure is feasible, providing a basis for a future trial in this setting. No differences were seen between groups. The number of excluded patients was high.

Effects of inhaled nitric oxide on oxidative stress and histopathological and inflammatory lung injury in a saline-lavaged rabbit model of acute lung injury.

BACKGROUND: Conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV) is fundamental in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) treatment. Inhaled nitric oxide (INO), an adjunctive therapy, has been used with ventilation in an attempt to improve oxygenation and reduce lung injury. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the early effects of low INO dose on oxygenation, oxidative stress, inflammatory, and histopathological lung injury in a rabbit model of acute lung injury (ALI). METHODS: This was a prospective, controlled, in vivo animal laboratory study. Forty rabbits were instrumented and ventilated at F(IO(2)) 1.0. ALI was induced by tracheal infusion of warm saline (30 mL/kg, 38°C) and lung oxidative stress was assessed by total antioxidant performance (TAP) assay. Animals were assigned to groups: control group (no. = 10, low tidal volume [V(T)] = 6 mL/kg, PEEP = 5 cm H(2)O), ALI without INO (no-INO group, no. = 10, low V(T) = 6 mL/kg, PEEP = 10 cm H(2)O), ALI plus INO (INO group, no. = 10, low V(T) = 6 mL/kg, PEEP = 10 cm H(2)O, INO = 5 ppm). Plateau pressure was limited to 30 cm H(2)O in all groups. Ten non-instrumented animals (healthy group) were studied for TAP assay. Ventilatory and hemodynamic parameters were recorded every 30 min for 4 hours. RESULTS: After lung injury, the instrumented groups were worse than the control group for P(aO(2)) (control group 438 ± 87 mm Hg, no-INO group 80 ± 13 mm Hg, INO group 81 ± 24 mm Hg, P < .001). The INO group showed decreased lung inflammation by leukocyte count in lung lavage fluid (no-INO group 4.8 ± 1.64, control group 0.16 ± 0.15, INO group 0.96 ± 0.35 polymorphonuclear cells × 10(6)/bronchoalveolar lavage fluid/lung, P < .001), decreased histopathological injury score (no-INO group 5 [range 1-16], INO group 2 [range 0-5], control group 0 [range 0-3], P < .001), and better lung protection against oxidative injury than the no-INO group (healthy group 68 ± 8.7, control group 66.4 ± 6.8, INO group 56.3 ± 5.1, no-INO group 45.9 ± 3.4 percent protection/g protein, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: INO attenuates oxidative stress and histopathological and inflammatory lung injury in a saline-lavaged rabbit ALI model.

Comparison between procalcitonin and C-reactive protein for early diagnosis of children with sepsis or septic shock.

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: The objective of the paper is to examine the behavior of C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) in the first 12 h of admission and verify which performs better to differentiate children with septic conditions. SUBJECTS: Septic children aged between 28 days and 14 years were divided into sepsis (SG; n = 46) and septic shock (SSG; n = 41) groups. CRP and PCT were measured at admission (T0) and 12 h later (T12 h). PCT results were classed as: 0.5 ng/ml = sepsis unlikely; >or=0.5 to <2 = sepsis possible; >or=2 to <10 = systemic inflammation; >or=10 = septic shock. RESULTS: At T0, there was a higher frequency of SSG with PCT >10 compared to SG [SSG: 30 (73.1%) > SG: 14 (30.4%); P < 0.05]. Similar results were observed at T12 h. Pediatric Risk of Mortality I score was significantly higher for SSG patients with higher PCT than SG patients. CRP levels were not statistically different for groups and time points. CONCLUSIONS: PCT was better than CRP for diagnosing sepsis and septic shock, mainly at admission, and is related to disease severity.

Interleukin-6 and procalcitonin in children with sepsis and septic shock.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the behavior of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and procalcitonin (PCT) and verify whether they can be used to differentiate children with septic conditions. METHODS: Septic children aged between 28 days and 14 years, prospectively enrolled from 01/2004 to 12/2005, were divided into sepsis (SG; n=47) and septic shock (SSG; n=43) groups. IL-6 and PCT were measured at admission (T0) and 12h later (T12h). PCT results were classed as: 0.5 ng/mL=sepsis unlikely; > or =0.5 to <2=sepsis possible; > or =2 to <10=systemic inflammation; > or =10=septic shock. RESULTS: Ninety children were included. At T0, there was a higher frequency of SSG with higher PCT compared with SG [SSG: 30 (69.7%)>SG: 14 (29.8%); p<0.05]. Similar results were observed at T12h. PRISM was significantly higher for SSG patients with higher PCT than SG patients. At T0, IL-6 levels were higher in SSG [SSG: 213.10 (10.85-396.70)>SG: 63.21 (0.86-409.82); p=0.001], but not statistically different at T12h. IL-6 levels positively correlated with PRISM score in SSG patients at admission (p=0.001; r=0.86). CONCLUSION: PCT and IL-6 appear to be helpful in early assessment of pediatric sepsis, are of diagnostic value at admission, and are related to disease severity.

Procalcitonin in children with sepsis and septic shock.

OBJECTIVE: To study the behavior of procalcitonin and to verify whether it can be used to differentiate children with septic conditions. METHOD: Children were enrolled prospectively from among those aged 28 days to 14 years, admitted between January 2004 and December 2005 to the pediatric intensive care unit at UNESP with sepsis or septic shock. The children were classified as belonging to one of two groups: the sepsis group (SG; n = 47) and the septic shock group (SSG; n = 43). Procalcitonin was measured at admission (T0) and again 12 hours later (T12h), and the results classed as: < 0.5 ng/mL = sepsis unlikely; >/= 0.5 to < 2 = sepsis possible; >/= 2 to < 10 = systemic inflammation and >/= 10 = septic shock. RESULTS: At T0 there was a greater proportion of SSG patients than SG patients in the highest PCT class [SSG: 30 (69.7%) > SG: 14 (29.8%); p < 0.05]. The proportion of SSG patients in this highest PCT class was greater than in all other classes (>/= 10 = 69.7%; >/= 2 to < 10 = 18.6%; >/= 0.5 to < 2 = 11.6%; < 0.5 = 0.0%; p < 0.05). The behavior of procalcitonin at T12h was similar to at T0. The pediatric risk of mortality (PRISM) scores for the SSG patients in the highest procalcitonin class were more elevated than for children in the SG [SSG: 35.15 (40.5-28.7) vs. SG: 18.6 (21.4-10.2); p < 0.05]. CONCLUSIONS: Procalcitonin allows sepsis to be differentiated from septic shock, can be of aid when diagnosing septic conditions in children and may be related to severity.

Predictive factors of mortality in pediatric patients with acute renal injury associated with sepsis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prognosis factors of children with sepsis and acute kidney injury. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of children with sepsis and acute kidney injury that were admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of a tertiary hospital. A multivariate analysis was performed to compare risk factors for mortality. RESULTS: Seventy-seven children (47 males) were retrospectively studied, median age of 4 months. Mean length of hospital stay was 7.33±0.16 days, 68.9% of patients received mechanical ventilation, 25.9% had oligo-anuria, and peritoneal dialysis was performed in 42.8%. The pRIFLE criteria were: injury (5.2%) and failure (94.8%), and the staging system criteria were: stage 1 (14.3%), stage 2 (29.9%), and stage 3 (55.8%). The mortality rate was 33.7%. In the multivariate analysis, the risk factors for mortality were PICU length of stay (OR=0.615, SE=0.1377, 95% CI=0.469-0.805, p=0.0004); invasive mechanical ventilation (OR=14.599, SE=1.1178, 95% CI=1.673-133.7564, p=0.0155); need for dialysis (OR=9.714, SE=0.8088, 95% CI=1.990-47.410, p=0.0049), and hypoalbuminemia (OR=10.484, SE=1.1147, 95% CI=1.179-93.200, p=0.035). CONCLUSIONS: The risk factors for mortality in children with acute kidney injury were associated with sepsis severity.

Acute and sustained effects of early administration of inhaled nitric oxide to children with acute respiratory distress syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the acute and sustained effects of early inhaled nitric oxide on some oxygenation indexes and ventilator settings and to compare inhaled nitric oxide administration and conventional therapy on mortality rate, length of stay in intensive care, and duration of mechanical ventilation in children with acute respiratory distress syndrome. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: Pediatric intensive care unit at a university-affiliated hospital. PATIENTS: Children with acute respiratory distress syndrome, aged between 1 month and 12 yrs. INTERVENTIONS: Two groups were studied: an inhaled nitric oxide group (iNOG, n = 18) composed of patients prospectively enrolled from November 2000 to November 2002, and a conventional therapy group (CTG, n = 21) consisting of historical control patients admitted from August 1998 to August 2000. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Therapy with inhaled nitric oxide was introduced as early as 1.5 hrs after acute respiratory distress syndrome diagnosis with acute improvements in Pao(2)/Fio(2) ratio (83.7%) and oxygenation index (46.7%). Study groups were of similar ages, gender, primary diagnoses, pediatric risk of mortality score, and mean airway pressure. Pao(2)/Fio(2) ratio was lower (CTG, 116.9 +/- 34.5; iNOG, 62.5 +/- 12.8, p <.0001) and oxygenation index higher (CTG, 15.2 [range, 7.2-32.2]; iNOG, 24.3 [range, 16.3-70.4], p <.0001) in the iNOG. Prolonged treatment was associated with improved oxygenation, so that Fio(2) and peak inspiratory pressure could be quickly and significantly reduced. Mortality rate for inhaled nitric oxide-patients was lower (CTG, ten of 21, 47.6%; iNOG, three of 18, 16.6%, p <.001). There was no difference in intensive care stay (CTG, 10 days [range, 2-49]; iNOG, 12 [range, 6-26], p >.05) or duration of mechanical ventilation (TCG, 9 days [range, 2-47]; iNOG, 10 [range, 4-25], p >.05). CONCLUSIONS: Early treatment with inhaled nitric oxide causes acute and sustained improvement in oxygenation, with earlier reduction of ventilator settings, which might contribute to reduce the mortality rate in children with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Length of stay in intensive care and duration of mechanical ventilation are not changed. Prospective trials of inhaled nitric oxide early in the setting of acute lung injury in children are needed.

[Inhaled nitric oxide in pediatrics]. / Uso do óxido nítrico em pediatria.

OBJECTIVE: To review the literature on inhaled nitric oxide and to describe its main clinical applications in pediatrics. SOURCE OF DATA: A 10 year literature review with selection of the most important publications on inhaled nitric oxide, using the Medline and Cochrane Systematic Review databases. SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS: This review was organized as follows: introduction; metabolism and biological effects; clinical applications; dosage, gas administration and weaning; precautions and side-effects. Inhaled nitric oxide use was described in persistent pulmonary hypertension and hypoxia of the newborn, acute respiratory distress syndrome, primary pulmonary hypertension, heart surgery, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, sickle cell anemia, and bronchospastic disease. CONCLUSIONS: Inhaled nitric oxide is a therapeutic approach with wide clinical applications in pediatrics. Its use is safe when administered in pediatric intensive care units under strict monitoring. As a pulmonary vasodilator, nitric oxide has beneficial effects on gas exchange and ventilation. Controlled trials, focusing on early gas administration should be performed under many clinical conditions, especially acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Temporal evolution of acute respiratory distress syndrome definitions.

OBJECTIVE: to review the evolution of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) definitions and present the current definition for the syndrome. DATA SOURCE: a literature review and selection of the most relevant articles on ARDS definitions was performed using the MEDLINE®/PubMed® Resource Guide database (last ten years), in addition to including the most important articles (classic articles) that described the disease evolution. DATA SYNTHESIS: the review included the following subjects: introduction; importance of definition; description of the first diagnostic criterion and subsequently used definitions, such as acute lung injury score; definition by the American-European Consensus Conference, and its limitations; description of the definition by Delphi, and its problems; accuracy of the aforementioned definitions; description of most recent definition (the Berlin definition), and its limitations; and practical importance of the new definition. CONCLUSIONS: ARDS is a serious disease that remains an ongoing diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. The evolution of definitions used to describe the disease shows that studies are needed to validate the current definition, especially in pediatrics, where the data are very scarce.

Predictive factors of mortality in pediatric patients with acute renal injury associated with sepsis / Fatores preditivos de mortalidade em pacientes pediátricos com lesão renal aguda associada com sepse

Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the prognosis factors of children with sepsis and acute kidney injury. Methods: This was a retrospective study of children with sepsis and acute kidney injury that were admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of a tertiary hospital. A multivariate analysis was performed to compare risk factors for mortality. Results: Seventy-seven children (47 males) were retrospectively studied, median age of 4 months. Mean length of hospital stay was 7.33 ± 0.16 days, 68.9% of patients received mechanical ventilation, 25.9% had oligo-anuria, and peritoneal dialysis was performed in 42.8%. The pRIFLE criteria were: injury (5.2%) and failure (94.8%), and the staging system criteria were: stage 1 (14.3%), stage 2 (29.9%), and stage 3 (55.8%). The mortality rate was 33.7%. In the multivariate analysis, the risk factors for mortality were PICU length of stay (OR = 0.615, SE = 0.1377, 95% CI = 0.469-0.805, p = 0.0004); invasive mechanical ventilation (OR = 14.599, SE = 1.1178, 95% CI = 1.673-133.7564, p = 0.0155); need for dialysis (OR = 9.714, SE = 0.8088, 95% CI = 1.990-47.410, p = 0.0049), and hypoalbuminemia (OR = 10.484, SE = 1.1147, 95% CI = 1.179-93.200, p = 0.035). Conclusions: The risk factors for mortality in children with acute kidney injury were associated with sepsis severity.

Resumo: Objetivo: Avaliar os fatores prognósticos de crianças com sepse e lesão renal aguda. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo de crianças internadas com sepse e lesão renal aguda em unidade de terapia intensiva pediátrica de serviço terciário. Usou-se a análise multivariada na comparação dos fatores de risco para mortalidade. Resultados: Foram avaliados 77 pacientes (47 masculinos) com mediana de 4 meses de idade. A média do tempo de internação foi de 7,33 ± 0,16 dias, 68,9% de necessitaram ventilação mecânica, 25,9% eram oligoanúricos e 42,8% necessitaram de diálise. A classificação da lesão renal aguda foi pRIFLE (Pediatric Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss, and End-stage Renal Disease) I em 5,2% e F em 94,8%; e estágio 1 (14,3%), estágio 2 (29,9%) e estágio 3 (55,8%). A taxa de mortalidade foi de 33,7%. Na análise multivariada, os fatores de risco foram tempo de internação (OR = 0,615 erro padrão = 0,1377, 95% CI = 0,469-0,805, p = 0,0004), ventilação mecânica (OR = 14.599, erro padrão = 1,1178, 95% CI = 1,673-133,7564, p = 0,0155), necessidade de diálise (OR = 9.714, erro padrão = 0,8088, 95% CI = 1,990-47,410, p = 0,0049) e hipoalbuminemia (OR = 10.484, erro padrão = 1,1147, 95% CI = 1,179-93,200, p = 0,035). No modelo de Cox a sobrevida foi influenciada pela necessidade de diálise (HR = 2.952, erro padrão = 0,44862, 95% CI = 1,225-7,112, p = 0,016) e hipoalbuminemia (HR = 3.326, erro padrão = 0,59474, 95% CI = 1,037-10,670, p = 0,043). Conclusões: Os fatores de risco para mortalidade nas crianças com lesão renal aguda foram associados à gravidade da sepse.

Comparison between intermittent mandatory ventilation and synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation with pressure support in children.

OBJECTIVE: To compare intermittent mandatory ventilation (IMV) with synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation plus pressure support (SIMV+PS) in terms of time on mechanical ventilation, duration of weaning and length of stay in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). METHODS: This was a randomized clinical trial that enrolled children aged 28 days to 4 years who were admitted to a PICU between October of 2005 and June of 2007 and put on mechanical ventilation (MV) for more than 48 hours. These patients were allocated to one of two groups by drawing lots: IMV group (IMVG; n = 35) and SIMV+PS group (SIMVG; n = 35). Children were excluded if they had undergone tracheotomy or had chronic respiratory diseases. Data on oxygenation and ventilation were recorded at admission and at the start of weaning. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences between the groups in terms of age, sex, indication for MV, PRISM score, Comfort scale, use of sedatives or ventilation and oxygenation parameters. The median time on MV was 5 days for both groups (p = 0.120). There were also no statistical differences between the two groups for duration of weaning [IMVG: 1 day (1-6) vs. SIMVG: 1 day (1-6); p = 0.262] or length of hospital stay [IMVG: 8 days (2-22) vs. SIMVG: 6 days (3-20); p = 0.113]. CONCLUSION: Among the children studied here, there was no statistically significant difference between IMV and SIMV+PS in terms of time on MV, duration of weaning or time spent in the PICU. ClinicalTrials.govID: NCT00549809.

Evolução temporal das definições de síndrome do desconforto respiratório agudo / Temporal evolution of acute respiratory distress syndrome definitions

OBJETIVO: revisar a evolução das definições de síndrome do desconforto respiratório agudo e apresentar a proposta atual para a mesma. FONTES DOS DADOS: revisão bibliográfica e seleção de publicações mais relevantes sobre as definições de síndrome do desconforto respiratório agudo, utilizando a base de dados MEDLINE®/PubMed® Resources Guide (últimos dez anos), além da inclusão dos artigos mais importantes (artigos clássicos) que descrevem a evolução da doença. SÍNTESE DOS DADOS: revisão incluiu os seguintes tópicos: introdução; importância da definição; descrição do primeiro critério diagnóstico e das definições utilizadas subsequentemente, como o escore de lesão pulmonar aguda, definição da Conferência de Consenso Americana- Europeia e suas limitações, descrição da definição de Delphi e seus problemas; acurácia das definições citadas e descrição da definição mais recente (Definição de Berlim) e suas limitações; e importância prática da nova definição. CONCLUSÕES: a síndrome do desconforto respiratório agudo é uma doença grave, que consiste em um contínuo desafio diagnóstico e terapêutico. A evolução das definições utilizadas para descrever a doença evidencia que estudos são necessários para validar a definição atual, principalmente em pediatria, onde os dados são muito escassos.

OBJECTIVE: to review the evolution of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) definitions and present the current definition for the syndrome. DATA SOURCE: a literature review and selection of the most relevant articles on ARDS definitions was performed using the MEDLINE®/PubMed® Resource Guide database (last ten years), in addition to including the most important articles (classic articles) that described the disease evolution. DATA SYNTHESIS: the review included the following subjects: introduction; importance of definition; description of the first diagnostic criterion and subsequently used definitions, such as acute lung injury score; definition by the American-European Consensus Conference, and its limitations; description of the definition by Delphi, and its problems; accuracy of the aforementioned definitions; description of most recent definition (the Berlin definition), and its limitations; and practical importance of the new definition. CONCLUSIONS: ARDS is a serious disease that remains an ongoing diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. The evolution of definitions used to describe the disease shows that studies are needed to validate the current definition, especially in pediatrics, where the data are very scarce.

Ventricular remodeling and diastolic myocardial dysfunction in rats submitted to protein-calorie malnutrition.

The effects of protein-calorie malnutrition (PCM) on heart structure and function are not completely understood. We studied heart morphometric, functional, and biochemical characteristics in undernourished young Wistar rats. They were submitted to PCM from birth (undernourished group, UG). After 10 wk, left ventricle function was studied using a Langendorff preparation. The results were compared with age-matched rats fed ad libitum (control group, CG). The UG rats achieved 47% of the body weight and 44% of the left ventricular weight (LVW) of the CG. LVW-to-ventricular volume ratio was smaller and myocardial hydroxyproline concentration was higher in the UG. Left ventricular systolic function was not affected by the PCM protocol. The myocardial stiffness constant was greater in the UG, whereas the end-diastolic pressure-volume relationship was not altered. In conclusion, the heart is not spared from the adverse effects of PCM. There is a geometric alteration in the left ventricle with preserved ventricular compliance despite the increased passive myocardial stiffness. The systolic function is preserved.

Comparação entre ventilação mandatória intermitente e ventilação mandatória intermitente sincronizada com pressão de suporte em crianças / Comparison between intermittent mandatory ventilation and synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation with pressure support in children

OBJETIVO: Comparar a ventilação mandatória intermitente (IMV) com a ventilação mandatória intermitente sincronizada com pressão de suporte (SIMV+PS) quanto à duração da ventilação mecânica, desmame e tempo de internação na unidade de terapia intensiva pediátrica (UTIP). MÉTODOS: Estudo clínico randomizado que incluiu crianças entre 28 dias e 4 anos de idade, admitidas na UTIP no período correspondente entre 10/2005 e 06/2007, que receberam ventilação mecânica (VM) por mais de 48 horas. Os pacientes foram alocados, por meio de sorteio, em dois grupos: grupo IMV (GIMV; n = 35) e grupo SIMV+PS (GSIMV; n = 35). Foram excluídas crianças traqueostomizadas e com insuficiência respiratória crônica. Dados relativos à oxigenação e ventilação foram anotados na admissão e no início do desmame. RESULTADOS: Os grupos não diferiram estatisticamente quanto à idade, sexo, indicação da VM, escore PRISM, escala de Comfort, uso de sedativos e parâmetros de ventilação e oxigenação. A mediana da duração da VM foi de 5 dias para ambos os grupos (p = 0,120). Também não houve diferença estatística quanto à duração do desmame [GIMV: 1 dia (1-6) versus GSIMV: 1 dia (1-6); p = 0,262] e tempo de internação [GIMV: 8 dias (2-22) versus GSIMV: 6 dias (3-20); p = 0,113]. CONCLUSÃO: Não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre IMV e SIMV+PS quanto à duração da VM/desmame e tempo de internação nas crianças avaliadas. ClinicalTrials.govID: NCT00549809.

OBJECTIVE: To compare intermittent mandatory ventilation (IMV) with synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation plus pressure support (SIMV+PS) in terms of time on mechanical ventilation, duration of weaning and length of stay in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). METHODS: This was a randomized clinical trial that enrolled children aged 28 days to 4 years who were admitted to a PICU between October of 2005 and June of 2007 and put on mechanical ventilation (MV) for more than 48 hours. These patients were allocated to one of two groups by drawing lots: IMV group (IMVG; n = 35) and SIMV+PS group (SIMVG; n = 35). Children were excluded if they had undergone tracheotomy or had chronic respiratory diseases. Data on oxygenation and ventilation were recorded at admission and at the start of weaning. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences between the groups in terms of age, sex, indication for MV, PRISM score, Comfort scale, use of sedatives or ventilation and oxygenation parameters. The median time on MV was 5 days for both groups (p = 0.120). There were also no statistical differences between the two groups for duration of weaning [IMVG: 1 day (1-6) vs. SIMVG: 1 day (1-6); p = 0.262] or length of hospital stay [IMVG: 8 days (2-22) vs. SIMVG: 6 days (3-20); p = 0.113]. CONCLUSION: Among the children studied here, there was no statistically significant difference between IMV and SIMV+PS in terms of time on MV, duration of weaning or time spent in the PICU. ClinicalTrials.govID: NCT00549809.

Procalcitonina em crianças com sepse e choque séptico / Procalcitonin in children with sepsis and septic shock

OBJETIVOS: Estudar o comportamento da procalcitonina e verificar se é capaz de diferenciar crianças com quadros sépticos. MÉTODOS: Crianças de 28 dias a 14 anos de idade, admitidas de 01/2004 a 12/2005 na unidade de tratamento intensivo pediátrica da UNESP com sepse ou choque séptico, foram incluídas prospectivamente. Dois grupos foram constituídos: grupo sepse (GS; n = 47) e grupo choque séptico (GCS; n = 43). Procalcitonina foi medida à admissão (T0) e depois de 12 h (T12h), e os resultados apresentados em classes: < 0,5 ng/mL = sepse improvável; > 0,5 a < 2 = sepse possível; > 2 a < 10 = inflamação sistêmica e > 10 = choque séptico. RESULTADOS: No T0, foi maior a freqüência de pacientes do GCS na classe mais alta de procalcitonina, comparada às crianças do GS [GCS: 30 (69,7 por cento) > GS: 14 (29,8 por cento); p < 0,05]. Para o GCS, a freqüência de pacientes que ocupou a classe mais elevada foi maior que a de pacientes em outras classes (> 10 = 69,7 por cento; > 2 a < 10 = 18,6 por cento; > 0,5 a < 2 = 11,6 por cento; < 0,5 = 0,0 por cento; p < 0,05). No T12h, o comportamento da procalcitonina foi semelhante ao T0. O escore pediatric risk of mortality (PRISM) dos pacientes do GCS na classe mais alta de procalcitonina foi mais elevado que o das crianças do GS [GCS: 35,15 (40,5-28,7) versus GS: 18,6 (21,4-10,2); p < 0,05]. CONCLUSÃO: Procalcitonina permite diferenciar sepse de choque séptico, pode auxiliar no diagnóstico de quadros sépticos em crianças e pode estar relacionada à gravidade dos pacientes.

OBJECTIVES: To study the behavior of procalcitonin and to verify whether it can be used to differentiate children with septic conditions. METHODS: Children were enrolled prospectively from among those aged 28 days to 14 years, admitted between January 2004 and December 2005 to the pediatric intensive care unit at Universidade Estadual Paulista UNESP with sepsis or septic shock. The children were classified as belonging to one of two groups: the sepsis group (SG; n = 47) and the septic shock group (SSG; n = 43). Procalcitonin was measured at admission (T0) and again 12 hours later (T12h), and the results classed as: < 0.5 ng/mL = sepsis unlikely; > 0.5 to < 2 = sepsis possible; > 2 to < 10 = systemic inflammation and > 10 = septic shock. RESULTS: At T0 there was a greater proportion of SSG patients than SG patients in the highest PCT class [SSG: 30 (69.7 percent) > SG: 14 (29.8 percent); p < 0.05]. The proportion of SSG patients in this highest PCT class was greater than in all other classes (> 10 = 69.7 percent; > 2 to < 10 = 18.6 percent; > 0.5 to < 2 = 11.6 percent; < 0.5 = 0.0 percent; p < 0.05). The behavior of procalcitonin at T12h was similar to at T0. The pediatric risk of mortality (PRISM) scores for the SSG patients in the highest procalcitonin class were more elevated than for children in the SG [SSG: 35.15 (40.5-28.7) vs. SG: 18.6 (21.4-10.2); p < 0.05]. CONCLUSIONS: Procalcitonin allows sepsis to be differentiated from septic shock, can be of aid when diagnosing septic conditions in children and may be related to severity.

Uso do óxido nítrico em pediatria / Inhaled nitric oxide in pediatrics

OBJETIVO: Rever a literatura sobre óxido nítrico inalatório e descrever suas principais indicações clínicas em pediatria. FONTES DOS DADOS: Revisão bibliográfica e seleção de publicações mais relevantes sobre óxido nítrico inalatório, utilizando a base de dados Medline (últimos dez anos) e a base de dados Cochrane de revisões sistemáticas. SíNTESE DOS DADOS: A revisão incluiu os seguintes tópicos: introdução; metabolismo e efeitos biológicos; aplicações clínicas; dose, administração e retirada do gás; precações e efeitos adversos e contra-indicações. Quanto às aplicações clínicas, foram descritos o uso de óxido nítrico em hipertensão pulmonar persistente e insuficiência respiratória de recém-nascidos, síndrome do desconforto respiratório agudo, hipertensão pulmonar primária, cirurgia cardíaca, doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica, anemia falciforme e broncoespasmo. CONCLUSÕES: O óxido nítrico inalatório é um tratamento com amplas possibilidades de utilização em clínica pediátrica. Seu uso é seguro em ambiente de terapia intensiva sob monitorização rigorosa. Como vasodilatador pulmonar seletivo, o óxido nítrico tem efeitos benéficos sobre as trocas gasosas e ventilação. Estudos controlados que enfoquem a administração precoce do gás são necessários em muitas condições, principalmente na síndrome do desconforto respiratório agudo.