James H. Hertzog

Prospective Evaluation of Propofol Anesthesia in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit for Elective Oncology Procedures in Ambulatory and Hospitalized Children

Objectives. To evaluate our experience with propofol anesthesia delivered by pediatric intensivists in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) to facilitate elective oncology procedures in children performed by pediatric oncologists. Methods. Elective oncology procedures performed with propofol anesthesia in our multidisciplinary, university-affiliated PICU were prospectively evaluated over a 7-month period. Ambulatory and hospitalized children were prescheduled for their procedure, underwent a medical evaluation, and met fasting requirements before the start of anesthesia. Continuous cardiorespiratory and neurologic monitoring was performed by a pediatric intensivist and a PICU nurse, while the procedure was performed by a pediatric oncologist. Propofol was delivered in intermittent boluses to achieve the desired level of anesthesia. Information studied included patient demographics, procedures performed, induction and total doses of propofol used, the duration of the different phases of the patients PICU stay, the occurrence of side effects, the need for therapeutic interventions, and the incidence of recall of the procedure. Results. Fifty procedures in 28 children (mean age: 7.5 ± 4.3 years) were evaluated. Sixty-one percent of patients had established diagnoses. Fifty-four percent of procedures were lumbar puncture with intrathecal chemotherapy administration and 26% of procedures were bone marrow aspirations with biopsy. Induction propofol doses were 2.0 ± .8 mg/kg for ambulatory and hospitalized patients, while total propofol doses were 6.6 ± 2.3 mg/kg and 7.9 ± 2.4 mg/kg for ambulatory and hospitalized patients, respectively. Induction time was 1.5 ± .7 minutes, recovery time was 23.4 ± 11.5 minutes, and total PICU time was 88.8 ± 27.7 minutes. Transient decreases in systolic blood pressure less than the fifth percentile for age occurred in 64% of procedures, with a mean decrease of 25% ± 10%. Intravenous fluids were administered in 31% of these cases. Hypotension was more common in ambulatory patients but was not predicted by propofol dose, anesthesia time, or age. Partial airway obstruction was noted in 12% of procedures while apnea requiring bag-valve-mask ventilation occurred in 2% of procedures. Neither was associated with age, propofol dose, or the duration of anesthesia. All procedures were successfully completed and there were no incidences of recall of the procedure. Conclusions. Propofol anesthesia is effective in achieving patient comfort and amnesia, while optimizing conditions for elective oncology procedures in children. Although transient hypotension and respiratory depression may occur, propofol anesthesia seems to be safe to use for these procedures in the PICU setting. Recovery from anesthesia was rapid and total stay was brief. Under the proper conditions, propofol anesthesia delivered by pediatric intensivists in the PICU is a reasonable option available to facilitate invasive oncology procedures in children.

Influences of cannula size and flow rate on aerosol drug delivery through the Vapotherm humidified high-flow nasal cannula system.

Objective: We investigated the in vitro inspired dose and particle size distribution of albuterol delivered by a vibrating mesh nebulizer through the Vapotherm (Stevensville, MD) humidified high-flow nasal cannula system. Design: Albuterol (2.5 mg/3 mL) was delivered by an Aeroneb Solo (Aerogen, Galway, Ireland) nebulizer that was connected via adaptor proximal to the nasal cannula and downstream from the Vapotherm 2000i. Albuterol was collected onto an inspiratory filter mounted to a breath simulator programmed with age-appropriate breathing patterns. Particle sizing was completed by cascade impaction. Albuterol was quantified using ultraviolet spectrometry. Measurements were made using varying flow rates through infant, pediatric, and adult nasal cannulae. Setting: Aerosol research laboratory. Measurements and Main Results: The inspired dose (percent of nominal dose) for each cannula size and flow rate was 2.5%, 0.8%, 0.4%, and 0.2% for the adult cannula at 5, 10, 20, and 40 L/min, respectively; 1.2%, 0.6%, 0.1%, and 0.0% for the pediatric cannula at 3, 5, 10, and 20 L/min, respectively; and 0.6%, 0.6%, and 0.5% for the infant cannula at 3, 5, and 8 L/min, respectively. Most (62–80%) of the loaded albuterol dose accumulated within the adaptor. For each cannula size, there was a significant decrease in the inspired dose with increasing flow rates, p = 0.026 (infant), p = 0.001 (pediatric), and p < 0.001(adult). The inspired dose increased with increasing cannula size for 5, 10, and 20 L/min (p = 0.007, p < 0.001, and p = 0.005, respectively). The mass median aerodynamic diameter for all trials was less than 5 µm. Conclusion: The amount of albuterol delivered with the Vapotherm system using this model was lower than the amount expected for a clinical response for the majority of flow rates and cannula size combinations. Further studies are needed before routine use of aerosolized albuterol through a Vapotherm high-flow system can be recommended.

An unusual case of button battery-induced traumatic tracheoesophageal fistula.

Background: Much of pediatric medicine is focused on prevention of disease and injury. Although accidental ingestions of various household chemicals and medicines are well described and the treatment is supported by local poison control hotlines, the ingestion of button batteries by children is less publicized, and the dangers are less understood by both parents and health care providers. Methods: We describe a case report of a 17-month-old girl with no significant medical history who presented with respiratory distress, cough, and fever and subsequently was discovered to have ingested a button battery. Results: The formation of a traumatic tracheoesophageal fistula required intensive management that escalated to cardiopulmonary bypass and eventual pericardial patch closure of the tracheal defect after the failure of conventional mechanical ventilation. Conclusions: Esophageal button battery impaction places the patient at high risk for full-thickness damage to the esophagus and tracheal structures with fistula formation in as little as a few hours. The key to successful therapy is prompt diagnosis and removal, but in nonverbal pediatric patients, this often is not achievable. Because of the complications associated with this disease (tracheoesophageal fistula) and subsequent difficulties associated with oxygenation and ventilation, these patients should be managed at an institution with the skilled capability of providing cardiopulmonary bypass quickly as a potentially lifesaving therapy.

A Prospective Pilot Study of the Use of Telemedicine During Pediatric Transport: A High-Quality, Low-Cost Alternative to Conventional Telemedicine Systems.

Objective Few trials address the use of telemedicine during pediatric transport. We believe that video conferencing has equivalent quality, connectivity, and ease of operation, can be done economically, and will improve evaluation. Methods Prospective randomized pilot study was used to examine video versus cellular communication between the medical command officer (MCO) and pediatric transport team (TT) for children with moderate to severe illness undergoing interhospital transport. Twenty-five patients were randomized to cellular communication, and 25 patients were randomized to video. The MCO completed a Likert scale to evaluate connection, quality, and ease of operation. Call durations were recorded. A Likert scale to evaluate the communication mode on patient care was completed. Results Connection and audio quality were equivalent and there were no dropped calls. Average call duration in the phone group was 186 versus 139 seconds in the video group (P = 0.055). The MCO survey results were the following: 100% found video intuitive, 92% felt that disposition based on phone report was difficult, 80% felt that video provided better understanding of patient condition, 70% felt that video assisted disposition, and 80% believe that video should be used for transport. The iPad system offers a significant savings when compared with conventional telemedicine. Conclusions Video conferencing seems as easy to complete as phone with equivalent quality and connectivity. Duration of video was equivalent to phone conferencing. Surveyed MCOs believed that video conferencing improved assessment and disposition. The iPad-based conferencing provided significant savings when compared with conventional cart-based or robotic units. Further evaluation of video conferencing during interhospital transport is warranted.

The use of a mobile computed tomography scanner in the pediatric intensive care unit to evaluate airway stenting and lung volumes with varying levels of positive end-expiratory pressure.

Objective Presentation of a case report describing the use of a mobile computed tomography (CT) scanner in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) to radiographically evaluate tracheobronchial stenting and lung volumes while using different levels of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and positioning in a critically ill infant. Design Case report of a single patient. Setting Pediatric intensive care unit in a University Hospital. Patient A 6-month-old premature infant with bronchopulmonary dysplasia, tracheobronchomalacia, and progressive respiratory failure. Interventions CT scans of the chest were performed by using a mobile CT scanner in the PICU. Serial CT scans were performed at PEEP levels of 5, 10, 15, and 20 cm H2O in both the supine and prone position. Scheduled medical care and standard monitoring were continued during the course of the CT scans. Measurements and Main Results Identical anatomic levels demonstrating the trachea, bronchi, and lung parenchyma were compared while different levels of PEEP and supine or prone positioning were used. From these comparisons, the level of PEEP in which lung volumes were optimized was radiographically determined. No significant changes in large airway caliber were observed. There was no difference noted between prone and supine positioning. CT scans were completed with minimal disruption to the patient’s care. Conclusions Mobile CT scanners can be used in the PICU for the diagnostic evaluation of critically ill children. This option allows for the continuation of medical therapies and monitoring in the intensive care setting while avoiding the potential complications of transporting a critically ill child to the radiology department. The use of mobile CT scanners may disrupt PICU routine and is more expensive than use of fixed CT scanners. Mobile CT scanners may be useful in radiographically determining the optimal level of PEEP in infants with tracheobronchomalacia and bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Lemierre syndrome in a 22-month-old due to Streptococcus pyogenes: a case report.

We report a case of Lemierre syndrome secondary to Streptococcus pyogenes in a 22-month-old girl. This case report and literature review took place at a pediatric intensive care unit at a freestanding tertiary childrens hospital. Diagnosis occurred after the discovery of left internal jugular thrombus and multiple metastatic infection sites including the right knee, kidneys, lungs, and brain. Lemierre syndrome can occur in young children secondary to S. pyogenes, and a classic presentation may not occur. A high index of suspicion is crucial to the diagnosis.

Aortic pseudoaneurysm in a child with a left mainstem bronchial stent.

Objective: To report a case of aortic pseudoaneurysm in a child with a metallic bronchial stent. Design: Case report and literature review. Setting: Pediatric intensive care unit at a freestanding tertiary children’s hospital. Patient: A 12-yr-old boy with a left mainstem bronchomalacia managed with a metallic stent presenting with bleeding from his tracheostomy. Interventions: Emergent flexible tracheobronchoscopy, computed tomography angiogram. Measurements and Main Results: Discovery of a pseudoaneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta adjacent to the bronchial stent. Conclusions: We report the first case of an aortic pseudoaneurysm in association with a bronchial stent in a child.

Emergent Interhospital Transport of Pediatric Patient With a Berlin Heart Device

Ventricular assist devices (VADs) for the mechanical support of cardiac failure are being used more frequently in children of increasingly younger age. These children have significant and multiple medical comorbidities, and their length of hospital stay has been increasing. As this population of hospitalized VAD-supported children increases, so does the possibility of their need for interfacility transport for specialized diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. Reports on such transports are limited to 3 children who underwent scheduled elective transfers. We report our experience with a child with a Berlin Heart EXCOR left ventricular assist device (Berlin Heart, Berlin, Germany) who required emergent interfacility transport between our hospital and an affiliated institution.

Propofol Anesthesia for Bone Marrow Aspiration/Biopsy and Intrathecal Chemotherapy in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit 766

Propofol Anesthesia for Bone Marrow Aspiration/Biopsy and Intrathecal Chemotherapy in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit 766