Implications of pediatric extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation simulation for intensive care team confidence and coordination: A pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) is associated with improved outcomes in select populations, however, crisis resource management (CRM) in this setting is logistically challenging. This study evaluates the impact of ECPR simulation on self-perceived confidence and collaboration of intensive care unit team members. METHODS: This is a prospective observational study analyzing data obtained between July 2018-December 2019. This study focused on non-surgical members of critical care team consisting of pediatric intensivists, resident physicians, registered nurses, respiratory therapists. Participants were expected to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) during the ECPR event, participate in code-team responsibilities and provide ancillary support during cannulation. Pre- and post-simulation surveys employed the Likert scale (1 = not at all confident, 5 = highly confident) to assess self-perceived scores in specified clinical competencies. RESULTS: Twenty-nine providers participated in the simulation; 38% had prior ECPR experience. Compared to mean pre-study Likert scores (2.4, 2.4, 2.5), post-simulation scores increased (4.2, 4.4, 4.3) when self-evaluating: confidence in assessing patients needing ECPR, confidence in participating in ECPR workflow and confidence in performing high-quality CPR, respectively. Post-simulation values of >3 were reported by 100% of participants in all domains (p < .0001). All participants indicated the clinical scenario and procedural environment to be realistic and appropriately reflective of situational stress. Additionally, 100% of participants reported the simulation to improve perceived team communication and teamwork skills. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated preliminary feasibility of pediatric ECPR simulation in enhancing independent provider confidence and team communication. This self-perceived improvement may establish a foundation for cohesive CRM, in preparation for a real life ECPR encounter.

Understanding triglyceride levels related to intravenous fat administration.

Lipid is an essential macronutrient in parenteral nutrition (PN) support. intravenous (IV) lipid provides essential fatty acids and a concentrated calorie source. Preterm infants are at risk for essential fatty deficiency early in life. Lipid administration is associated with some risks, and there are guidelines for administration to minimize complications. Lipid emulsions in the United States are derived from soybean oil. Outside of the United States, lipid emulsions made from fish oil or combinations of fish, soybean, olive, and medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) are under investigation for improved tolerance, lower plasma lipid levels, and improved fatty acid profiles, all of which are considered beneficial. Triglyceride levels are an important measurement to assess patient tolerance.

Phase I clinical and pharmacokinetic study of oxaliplatin, irinotecan and capecitabine.

PURPOSE: To determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) of the combination of weekly oxaliplatin x 4, weekly irinotecan x 4 and capecitabine Monday through Friday for 4 weeks of every 6 week cycle in patients with solid tumors; to determine the pharmacokinetic profile of these agents in this combination; to observe patients for clinical anti-tumor response. METHODS: Twenty-two patients with metastatic solid tumors received oxaliplatin 60 mg/m(2) weekly x 4, irinotecan beginning at a dose of 40 mg/m(2) weekly x 4, and capecitabine Monday through Friday for 4 weeks of every 6 week cycle, initially at 1,000 mg twice daily (bid). RESULTS: The MTD was oxaliplatin 60 mg/m(2) weekly x 4, irinotecan 50 mg/m(2) weekly x 4 and capecitabine 450 mg bid Monday through Friday for 4 weeks of every 6 week cycle. One of six patients at this dose level developed DLT of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Among patients treated with a constant capecitabine dose of 450 mg bid, there was a higher mean AUC of 5-FU in women than in men (mean +/- SD: 892 +/- 287 nM h vs. 537 +/- 182 nM h; Mann-Whitney two-tailed, P = 0.02). There was one complete response in a patient with gastric cancer. CONCLUSION: The novel schedule of weekly oxaliplatin, weekly irinotecan, and capecitabine Monday through Friday, all administered for 4 weeks of every 6 week cycle, evaluated in this phase I trial is well-tolerated and demonstrated activity in a patient with gastric cancer.

Taste responses to dilute sucrose solutions are modulated by stage of the estrous cycle and fenfluramine treatment in female rats.

Meal size is decreased during the estrous stage of the rat's ovarian reproductive cycle. This is mediated, in part, by estradiol's ability to increase the strength by which negative-feedback signals function to inhibit meal size. For example, we recently reported that the anorectic effect of fenfluramine, a serotonin agonist, is enhanced during estrus. Here, we investigated whether a decrease in the strength of positive-feedback signals, like those related to the taste of food, contributes to the decrease in meal size observed either in estrous rats or following fenfluramine treatment. Rats were given brief access to six sucrose solutions (0.0, 0.025, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 M) and the mean number of licks to these solutions was monitored in diestrous and estrous rats treated with 1 mg/kg fenfluramine or saline vehicle. Following saline treatment, estrous rats displayed fewer licks than diestrous rats to the 0.025 M sucrose solution. Following fenfluramine treatment, a decrease in the number of licks to 3 of the 5 sucrose solutions was observed in diestrous rats only. This decrease in sucrose palatability was limited to brief access tests, as overnight preference for the 0.025 M sucrose solution was not decreased by fenfluramine in either diestrous or estrous rats. Our findings suggest that estrous rats experience a decrease in the strength of positive-feedback signals elicited by a dilute sucrose solution and that the anorectic effect of fenfluramine is associated with a decline in positive-feedback signaling in the diestrous rat.