Ventilator-associated events in children: A multicentre prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) broadened the focus of surveillance from ventilator-associated pneumonia to ventilator-associated event (VAE) for quality purposes. No paediatric definition of VAE (PaedVAE) has been accurately validated. We aimed to analyse the incidence and impact on patient outcomes resulting from the application of the adult and two paediatric VAE (PaedVAE) criteria. SECONDARY OBJECTIVE: to evaluate VAE/PaedVAE as factors associated with increased duration of mechanical ventilation (MV) and Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) stay. METHODS: Multicentre observational prospective cohort study in 15 PICUs in Spain. VAEs were assessed using the 2013/2015 CDC classification. PaedVAE were assessed using the CDC definition based on mean airway pressure (MAP-PaedVAE) versus a paediatric definition based on positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP-PaedVAE). Children who underwent MV ≥ 48 h were included. RESULTS: A total of 3626 ventilator-days in 391 patients were analysed. The incidence of VAE, MAP-PaedVAE and PEEP-PaedVAE was 8.55, 5.24 and 20.96 per 1000 ventilator-days, respectively. The median time [IQR] for VAE, MAP-PaedVAE and PEEP-PaedVAE development from the MV onset was 4 [3-12.5], 4 [3-14], and 5 [3-7.75] days, respectively. Among survivors, all three were associated with increased MV duration (> 7 days) and PICU stay (> 10 days) at univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis showed that PEEP-PaedVAE was the only definition independently associated with MV above 7 days [OR = 4.86, 95% CI (2.41-10.11)] and PICU stay [OR = 3.49, 95% CI (1.68-7.80)] above ten days, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A VAE definition based on slight PEEP increases should be preferred for VAE surveillance in children.

Ecografía en el punto de cuidado en las unidades de cuidados intensivos pediátricos españolas / Point-of-care ultrasound in Spanish paediatric intensive care units

Introducción: La ecografía a pie de cama es cada vez más utilizada por los pediatras que tratan a niños críticos. El objetivo del estudio es describir la disponibilidad, el uso y la formación específica existente para esta técnica en las UCIP de nuestro entorno. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal multicéntrico mediante una encuesta en línea. Resultados: Se identificaron 51 UCIP en nuestro país, el 64,7% respondió a la encuesta. El 53,1% dispone de ecógrafo propio, el 25% lo comparte con otras unidades ubicándose en la unidad y el 21,9% dispone de él pero está ubicado en otra unidad. La disponibilidad de ecógrafo no se relacionó con el tamaño, la complejidad asistencial o el número de ingresos anuales. El 35% emplea la ecografía diariamente; esto se relacionó con la ubicación del ecógrafo en la unidad (p = 0,026), con la realización de trasplantes (p = 0,009), la disponibilidad de ECMO (p = 0,006) y con el número de ingresos anuales (p = 0,015). El 45,5% tiene menos del 50% de sus médicos con formación específica; el 18,2% ha formado a todos sus médicos. La presencia de más del 50% de médicos formados se asoció con mayor utilización a diario (p = 0,033) y con su uso para evaluar la función cardiaca (p = 0,033), la volemia (p = 0,004) o la presencia de líquido intraabdominal (p = 0,021). Conclusiones: La ecografía a pie de cama es una técnica frecuentemente disponible en las UCIP españolas. La formación específica para su uso es hasta el momento heterogénea pero debe servir para potenciar su implantación (AU)

Introduction: Point-of-care (bedside) ultrasound is being increasingly used by paediatricians who treat critically ill children. The aim of this study is to describe its availability, use, and specific training in Paediatric Intensive Care Units in Spain. Material and methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional, multicentre study was performed using an online survey. Results: Of a total of 51 PICUs identified in our country, 64.7% responded to the survey. Just over half (53.1%) have their own ultrasound machine, 25% share it, with other units with the usual location in the PICU, and 21.9% share it, but it is usually located outside the PICU. Ultrasound machine availability was not related to size, care complexity, or number PICU admissions. The ultrasound was used daily in 35% of the units, and was associated with location of the machine in the PICU (P = .026), the existence of a transplant program (P = .009), availability of ECMO (P = .006), and number of admissions (P = .015). 45.5% of PICUs has less than 50% of the medical staff specifically trained in bedside ultrasound, and 18.2% have all their medical staff trained. The presence of more than 50% of medical staff trained was associated with a higher rate of daily use (P = .033), and with specific use to evaluate cardiac function (P = .033), intravascular volume estimation (P = .004), or the presence of intra-abdominal collections (P = .021). Conclusions: Bedside ultrasound is frequently available in Spanish PICUs. Specific training is still variable, but it should serve to enhance its implementation (AU)

[Point-of-care ultrasound in Spanish paediatric intensive care units]. / Ecografía en el punto de cuidado en las unidades de cuidados intensivos pediátricos españolas.

INTRODUCTION: Point-of-care (bedside) ultrasound is being increasingly used by paediatricians who treat critically ill children. The aim of this study is to describe its availability, use, and specific training in Paediatric Intensive Care Units in Spain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional, multicentre study was performed using an online survey. RESULTS: Of a total of 51 PICUs identified in our country, 64.7% responded to the survey. Just over half (53.1%) have their own ultrasound machine, 25% share it, with other units with the usual location in the PICU, and 21.9% share it, but it is usually located outside the PICU. Ultrasound machine availability was not related to size, care complexity, or number PICU admissions. The ultrasound was used daily in 35% of the units, and was associated with location of the machine in the PICU (P=.026), the existence of a transplant program (P=.009), availability of ECMO (P=.006), and number of admissions (P=.015). 45.5% of PICUs has less than 50% of the medical staff specifically trained in bedside ultrasound, and 18.2% have all their medical staff trained. The presence of more than 50% of medical staff trained was associated with a higher rate of daily use (P=.033), and with specific use to evaluate cardiac function (P=.033), intravascular volume estimation (P=.004), or the presence of intra-abdominal collections (P=.021). CONCLUSIONS: Bedside ultrasound is frequently available in Spanish PICUs. Specific training is still variable, but it should serve to enhance its implementation.

[Refractory status epilepticus presenting as shaken baby syndrome]. / Estado epileptico refractario como forma de presentacion del sindrome del bebe zarandeado.

INTRODUCTION: A convulsive status in infants is usually triggered by a febrile syndrome secondary to an intercurrent infection or an infection affecting the central nervous system. Shaken baby syndrome is characterised by its association with bilateral or multifocal haemorrhage, retinal haemorrhage and encephalopathy. Children under one year old are the group with the highest risk, with a maximum incidence reaching a peak between 10 and 16 weeks of age. Intercurrent processes, such as baby colic or febrile syndromes that tend to step up crying, are usually precipitating factors of shaking. CASE REPORTS: We present the cases of two infants who began with a status epilepticus within a context of a febrile syndrome. Imaging tests revealed bilateral subdural haematomas in different stage of progress and bilateral retinal haemorrhages were observed in the fundus oculi of both children. CONCLUSIONS: In a child with an unspecific febrile process that develops a convulsive status, the professional should suspect, in addition to more usual problems, shaken baby syndrome as a possible causation, above all if the child is under six months old.

TITLE: Estado epileptico refractario como forma de presentacion del sindrome del bebe zarandeado.Introduccion. El estado convulsivo en el lactante suele ser desencadenado por un sindrome febril secundario a una infeccion intercurrente o una infeccion del sistema nervioso central. El sindrome del bebe zarandeado se caracteriza por la asociacion de hemorragia subdural bilateral o multifocal, hemorragia retiniana y encefalopatia. Los niños menores de 1 año constituyen el grupo de mayor riesgo, con un pico de incidencia maxima entre las 10 y 16 semanas de vida. Los procesos intercurrentes, como los colicos del lactante o los sindromes febriles que favorecen el llanto, suelen ser factores precipitantes del zarandeo. Casos clinicos. Presentamos los casos de dos lactantes que en el contexto de un sindrome febril comenzaron con un estado epileptico. En las pruebas de imagen se evidenciaron hematomas subdurales bilaterales en diferente estadio evolutivo y en el fondo de ojo se observaron hemorragias retinianas bilaterales en ambos niños. Conclusiones. En un niño con un proceso febril inespecifico que desarrolla un estado convulsivo se debe pensar, ademas de en los problemas mas habituales, en el sindrome del bebe zarandeado como posible causa etiologica, sobre todo si es menor de 6 meses.

Estado epiléptico refractario como forma de presentación del síndrome del bebé zarandeado / Refractory status epilepticus presenting as shaken baby syndrome

Introducción. El estado convulsivo en el lactante suele ser desencadenado por un síndrome febril secundario a una infección intercurrente o una infección del sistema nervioso central. El síndrome del bebé zarandeado se caracteriza porla asociación de hemorragia subdural bilateral o multifocal, hemorragia retiniana y encefalopatía. Los niños menores de 1 año constituyen el grupo de mayor riesgo, con un pico de incidencia máxima entre las 10 y 16 semanas de vida. Los procesos intercurrentes, como los cólicos del lactante o los síndromes febriles que favorecen el llanto, suelen ser factores precipitantes del zarandeo. Casos clínicos. Presentamos los casos de dos lactantes que en el contexto de un síndrome febril comenzaron con un estado epiléptico. En las pruebas de imagen se evidenciaron hematomas subdurales bilaterales en diferente estadio evolutivo y en el fondo de ojo se observaron hemorragias retinianas bilaterales en ambos niños. Conclusiones. En un niño con un proceso febril inespecífico que desarrolla un estado convulsivo se debe pensar, además de en los problemas más habituales, en el síndrome del bebé zarandeado como posible causa etiológica, sobre todo si es menor de 6 meses (AU)

Introduction. A convulsive status in infants is usually triggered by a febrile syndrome secondary to an intercurrent infection or an infection affecting the central nervous system. Shaken baby syndrome is characterised by its association with bilateral or multifocal haemorrhage, retinal haemorrhage and encephalopathy. Children under one year old are the group with the highest risk, with a maximum incidence reaching a peak between 10 and 16 weeks of age. Intercurrent processes, such as baby colic or febrile syndromes that tend to step up crying, are usually precipitating factors of shaking. Case reports. We present the cases of two infants who began with a status epilepticus within a context of a febrile syndrome. Imaging tests revealed bilateral subdural haematomas in different stage of progress and bilateral retinal haemorrhages were observed in the fundus oculi of both children. Conclusions. In a child with an unspecific febrile process that develops a convulsive status, the professional should suspect, in addition to more usual problems, shaken baby syndrome as a possible causation, above all if the child is under six months old (AU)

Experiencia con la prótesis de pericardio bovino Carpentier-Edwards® en posición pulmonar en pacientes con cardiopatías congénitas / Experience with Carpentier Edwards® bovine pericardium implantations in pulmonary position in patients with congenital heart diseases

Introducción. El número de pacientes con cardiopatías complejas corregidas en la infancia que necesitan una sustitución valvular pulmonar para restaurar la competencia o solucionar la estenosis del tracto de salida de ventrículo derecho ha aumentado en los últimos años. El injerto ideal continúa siendo motivo de controversia. En el servicio de cardiocirugía del Hospital Ramón y Cajal de España, se comenzó a utilizar prótesis de pericardio bovina de Carpentier-Edwards siendo el objetivo de este estudio su evaluación a corto y medio plazo. Materiales y Métodos. Entre enero de 2004 y mayo de 2010 fueron intervenidos 42 pacientes para sustitución valvular pulmonar mediante prótesis de pericardio bovino. El estudio fue ambispectivo con prospección durante los dos últimos años. Resultados. La mediana de la edad fue de 20,96 años (amplitud intercuartil 10,5 años). El número medio de cirugías previas fue de 1,9±0,9 siendo el tiempo medio entre la última cirugía y la implantación de la prótesis de 17,2±7 años. Las indicaciones quirúrgicas fueron: disfunción del ventrículo derecho (45%), su dilatación progresiva (38%), arritmias ventriculares (14%) y síncopes (3%). La mortalidad precoz de causa cardiológica fue de dos pacientes. El tiempo medio de seguimiento fue de 2,1±1,4 años (rango entre 0,1 y 6,3 años) estando el 94,3% de ellos en clase funcional I de la New York Heart Association. El gradiente Doppler pico transprotésico por ecocardiografía fue de 18,5±17 mm Hg. No se observaron cambios degenerativos ni ningún tipo de deterioro estructural de la prótesis. Conclusiones. La prótesis de pericardio bovino en posición pulmonar presenta excelentes resultados a corto y medio plazo. Sin embargo, es necesario un seguimiento mayor para confirmar lo resultados iniciales respecto a su durabilidad y hemodinamia a largo plazo...

Introduction. In recent years the number of patients with complex congenital heart disease previously corrected in infancy who need a pulmonary valve replacement has increased dramatically. The ideal substitute remains a source of dispute. Nowadays, in the unit of heart surgery of the Hospital Ramon y Cajal in Spain, its being implanting in this position the bovine pericardium Carpentier-Edwards prosthesis. The aim of the study is its short and mediumtermassessment. Material and methods. Between January 2004 and May of 2010, 42 patients have been operated for pulmonary valve replacement with pericardium prosthesis. The study was ambispective, being prospective in its last two years. Results. The median age of the patients was 20.96 years (interquartile 10.5 years). The mean number of surgeries prior to the pulmonary valve replacement was 1.9±0.9, being the mean time between the “corrective” surgery and the prosthetic implantation 17.2±7 years. The main indications for this surgery were: right ventricle dysfunction (45%), progressive dilation of the same ventricle (38%), ventricular arrhythmias (14%) and syncopes (3%). Two patients died in the immediate postoperative due to cardiological causes. The mean follow-up time has been 2.1±1.4 years (0.1-6.3). The 94.3 % of the surviving patients are in functional class I, according to the New York Health Association. The peak Doppler transprosthetic gradient determined by echocardiography was 18.5±17 mm Hg. In the echocardiograpic follow-up there have been neither degenerative changes nor any type of structural deterioration of the prosthesis. Conclusions. The bovine pericardium prosthesis in pulmonary position presents excellent results in the short and medium-term. However, it is necessary a longer follow-up to confirm our initial results regarding its durability and haemodynamics long-term...