Paulo Sérgio Lucas da Silva

Use of Ketofol for procedural sedation and analgesia in children with hematological diseases

Background:  The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of intravenous ketamine–propofol admixture (“ketofol”) in the same syringe for procedural sedation and analgesia in children undergoing bone marrow aspiration.

Unplanned Extubation in the Neonatal ICU: A Systematic Review, Critical Appraisal, and Evidence-Based Recommendations

OBJECTIVE: To update the state of knowledge on unplanned extubations (UEs) in neonatal ICUs. This review focuses on the following topics: incidence, risk factors, reintubation after UE, outcomes, and prevention. METHODS: The MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scielo, Lilacs, and Cochrane databases were searched for relevant publications from January 1, 1950, through January 30, 2012. Fifteen articles were selected for data abstraction. The search strategy included the following key words: “unplanned extubation,” “accidental extubation,” “self extubation,” “unintentional extubation,” “unexpected extubation,” “inadvertent extubation,” “unintended extubation,” “spontaneous extubation,” “treatment interference,” and “airway accident.” Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Grades of recommendation were assessed according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicines levels of evidence system. Studies with Newcastle-Ottawa scale score ≥ 5 that included appropriate statistical analysis were deemed of high methodological quality. RESULTS: The overall mean Newcastle-Ottawa scale score was 3.5. UE rates ranged from 0.14 to 5.3 UEs/100 intubation days, or 1% to 80.8%. Risk factors included restlessness/agitation (13–89%), poor fixation of endotracheal tube (8.5–31%), tube manipulation at the time of UE (17–30%), and performance of a patient procedure at bedside (27.5–51%). One study showed that every day on mechanical ventilation increased the UE risk 3% (relative risk 1.03, P < .001). The association between birth weight/gestational age and UE is controversial. Reintubation rates ranged from 8.3% to 100%. There is still a gap of information about strategies addressed to reduce the incidence of UE. The best method of endotracheal tube securement remains a controversial issue. CONCLUSIONS: Despite numerous publications on UE, there are few studies assessing preventive strategies for adverse events and there is a lack of randomized clinical trials. Recommendations are proposed based on the current available literature.

Value of Repeat Cranial Computed Tomography in Pediatric Patients Sustaining Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

BACKGROUND Repeat head computed tomography (CT) is standard practice for traumatic brain injury (TBI) at many centers. The few studies available in children remain unclear over the value of repeat CT within 24 hours to 48 hours of lesion in such patients. The purpose of the present study was to assess the value of repeat cranial CT in children presenting moderate or severe TBI. METHODS A retrospective study performed within a pediatric intensive care unit between January 2000 and December 2006. All patients with moderate and severe TBI who survived the first 24 hours after admission were included. Clinical data collected included age, lesion mechanism, time between first and second CTs, disease severity score at admission, and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) both at admission and day of repeat CT. RESULTS A total of 63 children were assessed whose mean age was 72 months (48-112). The time between the first and the second CT scans averaged 25.78 hours +/- 13.75 hours (range, 6-48 hours). The reasons for ordering repeat CT scans were divided as follows: follow-up (78%), neurologic deterioration (20.4%), and increased intracranial pressure (1.6%). The change on the follow-up CT scan was compared with the GCS score. The GCS score was improved in 66.6% of patients, remained the same in 15.9%, and worsened in 17.5%. The appearance on the CT scans was better, the same or worse in 41.3%, 34.9%, and 23.8% of patients, respectively. There was a significant association between GCS and changes in findings on repeat CT (OR = 34.5, confidence interval [5.98-199.04], p = 0.000009). The positive and negative predictive values were 82% and 89%, respectively. One patient with a worsened GCS required surgical intervention based on the repeat CT scan. CONCLUSION An unchanged or improving neurologic examination in children sustaining moderate or severe TBI who are appropriately monitored may be adequate to exclude the possibility of neurosurgical intervention and, hence, repeat head CT scan.

Comparison between the Comfort and Hartwig sedation scales in pediatric patients undergoing mechanical lung ventilation

CONTEXT A high number of hospitalized children do not receive adequate sedation due to inadequate evaluation and use of such agents. With the increase in knowledge of sedation and analgesia in recent years, concern has also risen, such that it is now not acceptable that incorrect evaluations of the state of childrens pain and anxiety are made. OBJECTIVE A comparison between the Comfort and Hartwig sedation scales in pediatric patients undergoing mechanical lung ventilation. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SETTING A pediatric intensive care unit with three beds at an urban teaching hospital. PATIENTS Thirty simultaneous and independent observations were conducted by specialists on 18 patients studied. DIAGNOSTIC TEST Comfort and Hartwig scales were applied, after 3 minutes of observation. MAIN MEASUREMENTS Agreement rate (kappa). RESULTS On the Comfort scale, the averages for adequately sedated, insufficiently sedated, and over-sedated were 20.28 (SD 2.78), 27.5 (SD 0.70), and 15.1 (SD 1.10), respectively, whereas on the Hartwig scale, the averages for adequately sedated, insufficiently sedated, and over-sedated were 16.35 (SD 0.77), 20.85 (SD 1.57), and 13.0 (SD 0.89), respectively. The observed agreement rate was 63% (p = 0.006) and the expected agreement rate was 44% with a Kappa coefficient of 0.345238 (z = 2.49). CONCLUSIONS In our study there was no statistically significant difference whether the more complex Comfort scale was applied (8 physiological and behavioral parameters) or the less complex Hartwig scale (5 behavioral parameters) was applied to assess the sedation of mechanically ventilated pediatric patients.

Outcome of patients requiring tracheostomy in a pediatric intensive care unit

Abstract Background : Although tracheostomy is a commonly performed procedure, there is a lack of studies in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) setting that describe its association with patient outcome and especially hospital mortality. Our goal was to evaluate the outcome of patients receiving a tracheostomy, while on mechanical ventilation (MV), in a PICU.

Induction of life-threatening supraventricular tachycardia during central venous catheter placement: an unusual complication

UNLABELLED Cardiac arrhythmias during central venous catheter (CVC) insertion are typically transient events with no hemodynamic repercussions. Pediatric reports on this condition are scarce and fail to describe potentially life-threatening complications. CASE A 14-day-old boy was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit presenting with septic shock. During CVC insertion, the patient developed supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), which was unresponsive to vagal maneuvers or adenosine. Chest roentgenogram control revealed the tip of the catheter positioned in the midportion of the superior vena cava. After 30 minutes, the patient had a heart rate of 215 beats/min (bpm) and signs of hemodynamic compromise. The SVT eventually reverted to a sinus rhythm with synchronized cardioversion. The patient was discharged in good health. CONCLUSION Awareness of this potential complication of CVC insertion warrants a high level of concern by pediatric surgeons performing these procedures. Patients with sepsis and/or cardiac dysfunction who present SVT during catheter insertion can represent a therapeutic challenge for surgeons.

Internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysm with life-threatening epistaxis as a complication of deep neck space infection.

Pseudoaneurysm of the cervical internal carotid artery is a very rare, potentially fatal complication of a neck space infection in children associated with high mortality and morbidity. A 3-year-old boy presented with spontaneous massive epistaxis 45 days after a deep neck space infection caused by a peritonsillar abscess. During nasopharyngeal packing, he evolved with cardiac arrest. Intra-arterial angiography was then performed that revealed a large pseudoaneurysm. Endovascular treatment using detachable balloons achieved complete exclusion of the pseudoaneurysm. The child made an uneventful recovery and was discharged with mild left hemiparesis and no deficit of sensory or cognitive functions. Pseudoaneurysms of the internal carotid artery after a deep neck space infection can be associated with delayed and potentially fatal massive epistaxis. Furthermore, a regional (ie, extranasal) blood vessel should be promptly investigated when there are signs of hypovolemic shock. A high level of suspicion and definitive treatment are essential for successful management of these patients.

Successful treatment of vancomycin-resistant enterococcus ventriculitis in a child

UNLABELLED Enterococci are an uncommon cause of CNS infection. A 20 month-old boy, diagnosed with hydrocephalus with ventriculoperitoneal shunt and history of lengthy hospitalization and use of wide spectrum antibiotics, was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit diagnosed with ventriculitis. On the 14th day of empirical antibiotic therapy (vancomycin and meropenem) the child presented fever while the CSF sample culture evidenced vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium. The patient received intravenous linezolid achieving cerebrospinal fluid sterilization. CONCLUSION Intravenous linezolid appears to be a safe and effective therapy for vancomycin-resistant enterococcus ventriculoperitoneal shunt infection.

Impact of sustained neuromuscular blockade on outcome of mechanically ventilated children

Background:  Neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBA) are commonly administered to critically ill children in pediatric intensive care units (PICU) in the USA and Europe. Although NMBA are frequently used in PICU patients, their role in the PICU setting has not yet been clearly defined. The aim of this study was to describe the sustained administration of NMBA and its impact on outcome of PICU patients.

Procedural sedation for insertion of central venous catheters in children: comparison of midazolam/fentanyl with midazolam/ketamine

Background:  There is a lack of studies evaluating procedural sedation for insertion of central venous catheters (CVC) in pediatric patients in emergency departments or pediatric intensive care units (PICU). This study was designed to evaluate whether there is a difference in the total sedation time for CVC insertion in nonintubated children receiving two sedation regimens.