Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Training Program in A Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit: An 8-Year Single-Center Experience in Argentina.

INTRODUCTION: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for temporary cardiopulmonary support is one of the most intense and technologically complex therapies offered in medicine. It is a high-risk procedure that requires specific knowledge and technical skills to perform it with good results. OBJECTIVE: The main goal of this study is to describe our extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) training program based on the study of specialized nurses and physicians of a simulation teaching experience, conducted in a pediatric cardiac intensive care unit. The program was developed as a theoretical-practical course with final exam and annual maintenance training sessions, caring for ECMO patients, its implementation and results. METHODS: A descriptive study for registered nurses, intensivists, and cardiac surgeons. A self-administered, anonymous, and voluntary survey was conducted to assess the long-term perception about the program. Demographic data to describe the population was required, and questions about satisfaction and confidence in acquired skills and competences were asked. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed; patient survival and complications were compared before and after ECMO program using chi-square test, and P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Twenty-four training courses were performed for 68 professionals. More than 88% of the professionals considered the course components to be adequate and complete; and 94% felt trained to manage the ECMO circuit. Most valued activities were workshops and clinical cases. Since the implementation of the training program, 88 patients were assisted, with a survival rate at discharge of 58%, higher than in the previous period (P=0.03). CONCLUSION: More than 80% of the professionals considered the workshops and simulations as the most useful components. Reliance on the circuit care was higher than in training problem scenarios. Since 2013 we assisted 88 patients on ECMO, with a survival rate at discharge of 58%, within international standards results.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Training Program in A Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit: An 8-Year Single-Center Experience in Argentina

ABSTRACT Introduction: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for temporary cardiopulmonary support is one of the most intense and technologically complex therapies offered in medicine. It is a high-risk procedure that requires specific knowledge and technical skills to perform it with good results. Objective: The main goal of this study is to describe our extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) training program based on the study of specialized nurses and physicians of a simulation teaching experience, conducted in a pediatric cardiac intensive care unit. The program was developed as a theoretical-practical course with final exam and annual maintenance training sessions, caring for ECMO patients, its implementation and results. Methods: A descriptive study for registered nurses, intensivists, and cardiac surgeons. A self-administered, anonymous, and voluntary survey was conducted to assess the long-term perception about the program. Demographic data to describe the population was required, and questions about satisfaction and confidence in acquired skills and competences were asked. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed; patient survival and complications were compared before and after ECMO program using chi-square test, and P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Twenty-four training courses were performed for 68 professionals. More than 88% of the professionals considered the course components to be adequate and complete; and 94% felt trained to manage the ECMO circuit. Most valued activities were workshops and clinical cases. Since the implementation of the training program, 88 patients were assisted, with a survival rate at discharge of 58%, higher than in the previous period (P=0.03). Conclusion: More than 80% of the professionals considered the workshops and simulations as the most useful components. Reliance on the circuit care was higher than in training problem scenarios. Since 2013 we assisted 88 patients on ECMO, with a survival rate at discharge of 58%, within international standards results.

Series de Pediatría Garrahan. El niño con cardiopatía congénita

A 27 años del nacimiento del Hospital Garrahan, hemos sentido la necesidad de compartir con el equipo de salud las estrategias de atención del niño y su familia utilizadas en nuestro Hospital, colaborar con su actualización permanente y poner énfasis en el trabajo interdisciplinario. En este tomo desarrollamos el tema del niño con cardiopatía congénita. Se trata de la malformación congénita grave más frecuente, que se presenta en aproximadamente 5 a 8 cada mil nacidos vivos. En Argentina, nacen alrededor de 700.000 niños cada año, es decir alrededor de 4.500 con esta patología. La supervivencia actual con calidad de vida futura normal es alta para la mayoría de estos niños. A esto contribuyen las mejoras en el diagnóstico prenatal y neonatal temprano, el traslado seguro, la estabilización preoperatoria y el tratamiento por equipos cardiovasculares interdisciplinarios. El rol del pediatra es fundamental en el diagnóstico y seguimiento de estos pacientes. En este volumen, el pediatra encontrará aspectos epidemiológicos y patogénicos de algunas de las enfermedades más prevalentes, así como claves para el diagnóstico oportuno, con énfasis en la semiología y los estudios complementarios accesibles, indicaciones de derivación, prevención de riesgos y asesoramiento general para pacientes y padres.

Asistencia circulatoria mecánica en pediatría: Experiencia en el Hospital de Pediatría Dr. Juan P. Garrahan. Argentina / Mechanical circulatory support in pediatrics: Experience at the Hospital de Pediatría Dr. Juan P. Garrahan. Argentina

Introducción: La asistencia circulatoria mecánica permite aportar oxígeno a los tejidos en pacientes con enfermedades cardiacas y/o respiratorias reversibles refractarios a tratamientos convencionales. Objetivo: Mostrar los resultados iniciales de asistencia circulatoria mecánica en niños con cardiopatía en nuestra institución. Método: Estudio de cohorte descriptivo retrospectivo entre marzo de 2006 y marzo de 2012. Datos demográficos (edad, sexo, peso, diagnóstico cardiológico), de la cirugía (técnica, tiempo de bomba y de pinzamiento aórtico) y de la asistencia circulatoria mecánica (tipo, indicación, duración, complicaciones y evolución). Resultados: Fueron asistidos 33 pacientes (1.3% del total de cirugías), con oxigenación por membrana extracorpórea en 32 casos y un caso con dispositivo de asistencia ventricular. Mediana de edad 7.4 meses (un día-18 años) y peso 6 kg (2.3-75). Las malformaciones cardiacas que se asistieron con mayor frecuencia son las trasposiciones de grandes arterias asociadas a otras anomalías y las trasposiciones corregidas (inversión ventricular-doble discordancia). El motivo de ingreso más frecuente fue disfunción biventricular poscardiotomía. En 28 pacientes la asistencia circulatoria mecánica fue postoperatoria y en 4 preoperatoria. Un paciente presentó miocarditis. Mediana de asistencia 3 días (1-10). Complicaciones más frecuentes: infección el 21% y sangrado el 21%. Decanulación electiva en un 94% de los casos. Supervivencia con alta hospitalaria: 52%. Conclusiones: La asistencia circulatoria mecánica en nuestra institución es una herramienta segura con procedimiento estandarizado. Se utiliza en un reducido número de casos, con supervivencia similar a informes internacionales. Es un procedimiento complejo, plenamente justificado que permitió la recuperación en más de la mitad de los pacientes que de otro modo hubieran fallecido.

Introduction: Mechanical circulatory support provides oxygen to the tissues in patients with cardiac and/or respiratory reversible disease refractory to conventional treatments. Objective: The aim of this study is to show our initial results of mechanical circulatory support in children with heart disease. Method: Retrospective cohort between March 2006 and March 2012. Demographic data (age, sex, weight, cardiac diagnosis), surgery (technique, pump, aortic cross clamping time) and mechanical circulatory support (type of assistance, indication, duration, complications and outcome) were collected. Results: Thirty-three patients were supported (1.3% of all surgeries), extracorporeal membrane oxygenation 32 cases and one ventricular assist device. The median age 7.4 months (one day-18 years) and weight 6 kg (2.3-75). The most frequent cardiac malformations supported were the transpositions of the great arteries associated with other anomalies and the corrected transpositions (ventricular inversion or double discordance). The most common reason for admission was post-cardiotomy biventricular dysfunction. Twenty-eight patients were supported in the postoperative period, 4 in the preoperative period and in one with myocarditis. Median days of support were 3 days (1-10). The most common complications were infection (21%), bleeding (21%). Elective decannulation was achieved in 94% of cases. Hospital discharge survival: 52%. Conclusions: The mechanical circulatory support in our institution is a safe and standard procedure. We have been using it in a small number of cases with a similar survival to that reported internationally. This complex procedure is widely justified because it allows for the recovery of more than half of the patients who otherwise would have died.

[Mechanical circulatory support in pediatrics. Experience at the Dr. Juan P. Garrahan Pediatric Hospital. Argentina]. / Asistencia circulatoria mecánica en pediatría. Experiencia en el Hospital de Pediatría Dr. Juan P. Garrahan. Argentina.

INTRODUCTION: Mechanical circulatory support provides oxygen to the tissues in patients with cardiac and/or respiratory reversible disease refractory to conventional treatments. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to show our initial results of mechanical circulatory support in children with heart disease. METHOD: Retrospective cohort between March 2006 and March 2012. Demographic data (age, sex, weight, cardiac diagnosis), surgery (technique, pump, aortic cross clamping time) and mechanical circulatory support (type of assistance, indication, duration, complications and outcome) were collected. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients were supported (1.3% of all surgeries), extracorporeal membrane oxygenation 32 cases and one ventricular assist device. The median age 7.4 months (one day-18 years) and weight 6kg (2.3-75). The most frequent cardiac malformations supported were the transpositions of the great arteries associated with other anomalies and the corrected transpositions (ventricular inversion or double discordance). The most common reason for admission was post-cardiotomy biventricular dysfunction. Twenty-eight patients were supported in the postoperative period, 4 in the preoperative period and in one with myocarditis. Median days of support were 3 days (1-10). The most common complications were infection (21%), bleeding (21%). Elective decannulation was achieved in 94% of cases. Hospital discharge survival: 52%. CONCLUSIONS: The mechanical circulatory support in our institution is a safe and standard procedure. We have been using it in a small number of cases with a similar survival to that reported internationally. This complex procedure is widely justified because it allows for the recovery of more than half of the patients who otherwise would have died.