Ventilation efficacy during paediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation (PEDIVENT): simulation-based comparative study.

Introduction: This simulation-based study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of ventilation during paediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) provided by healthcare professionals (HCPs) and lay rescuers (LRs). The objective was to assess the number of effective breaths delivered during the initial sequence of CPR. Effective ventilation plays a critical role during paediatric CPR as most cardiac arrests are secondary to hypoxia in origin. The recommendations on initial resuscitation in unresponsive, non-breathing children differ worldwide. The European Resuscitation Council (ERC) guidelines recommend five breaths before starting the chest compressions. Yet, this recommendation was based on the expert consensus historically and has not changed since 2000 because of the lack of evidence. This research addresses the identified knowledge gap, with potential implications for improving resuscitation practices and ultimately enhancing patient outcomes. Methods: HCPs and LRs performed 90 s of CPR involving two mannequins: 5-kg Baby and 20-kg Junior. Both groups (HCPs and LRs) performed the task before and after structured CPR training, and the efficacy of ventilation before and after the training was compared. The HCPs provided bag-mask ventilation; LR performed dispatcher-assisted CPR with mouth-to-mouth ventilation. Results: The number of participants that reached the primary outcome before and after the training in Baby was 26 (65%) vs. 40 (100%) in HCPs and 28 (60.9%) vs. 45 (97.8%) in LRs (improvement in both p < 0.001), respectively. The number of participants that reached the primary outcome before and after the training in the Junior mannequin was 31 (77.5%) vs. 32 (82.1%) in HCPs (p = 0.77) and 32 (82.1%) vs. 37 (94.9%) in LRs (p = 0.005), respectively. Discussion: This simulation-based study is the first to investigate ventilation efficacy during paediatric CPR provided by HCPs and LRs. Ventilation represents an important aspect of good-quality CPR in children. The concept of initiating paediatric CPR with initial breaths, as stated in ERC guidelines 2021, is justifiable. Trained HCPs and LRs providing dispatcher-assisted CPR could deliver effective ventilation to paediatric mannequins. These findings can contribute to future research in this area and address identified knowledge gaps concerning resuscitation guidelines, given the unique practical application of simulation as a research tool.

Central Venous Catheter Cannulation in Pediatric Anesthesia and Intensive Care: A Prospective Observational Trial.

Currently, ultrasound-guided central venous catheter (CVC) insertion is recommended in pediatric patients. However, the clinical practice may vary. The primary aim of this study was the overall success rate and the first attempt success rate in ultrasound-guided CVC insertion versus anatomic-based CVC insertion in pediatric patients. The secondary aim was the incidence of associated complications and the procedural time. The physician could freely choose the cannulation method and venous approach. Data were collected for 10 months. Overall, 179 patients were assessed for eligibility and 107 patients were included. In almost half of the patients (48.6%), the percutaneous puncture was performed by real-time ultrasound navigation. In 51.4% of the patients, the puncture was performed by the landmark method. The overall success rate was 100% (n = 52) in the real-time ultrasound navigation group, 96.4% (n = 53) in the landmark insertion group, (p = 0.496). The first percutaneous puncture success rate was 57.7% (n = 30) in the real-time ultrasound navigation group and 45.5% (n = 25) in the landmark insertion group, (p = 0.460). The data show a higher overall success rate and the first success rate in the US-guided CVC insertion group, but the difference was not statistically significant.

Pediatric Patient with Ischemic Stroke: Initial Approach and Early Management.

Acute Ischemic Stroke (AIS) in children is an acute neurologic emergency associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Although the incidence of AIS in pediatric patients is considerably lower than in adults, the overall cumulative negative impact of the quality of life could be even higher in children. The age-related variable clinical presentation could result in a delay in diagnosis and could negatively influence the overall outcome. The early management should be based on early recognition, acute transfer to pediatric AIS centre, standardised approach (ABCDE), early neurologic examination together with neuroimaging (preferable Magnetic Resonance Imaging-MRI). The treatment is based on supportive therapy (normoxemia, normocapnia, normotension and normoglycemia) in combination with intravenous/intraarterial thrombolytic therapy and/or mechanical thrombectomy in selected cases. Pediatric stroke centres, together with the implementation of local stroke management protocols, could further improve the outcome of pediatric patients with AIS.