Sterility Duration of Preprimed Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Circuits.

Objectives: There is a lack of standardization and supporting data regarding the duration preassembled and preprimed extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) circuits are expected to be sterile. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate whether preassembled and preprimed ECMO circuits could maintain sterility for a period up to 65 days.

Design: Four ECMO circuits (2 neonatal/pediatric¼" and 2 adolescent/adult ⅜ ") were assembled and primed under sterile conditions and maintained at room temperature.

Population Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamic Target Attainment of Vancomycin in Neonates on Extracorporeal Life Support.

Objectives: To evaluate the population pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic target attainment of vancomycin in neonates with a contemporary ¼-inch extracorporeal life support circuit with a Quadrox-iD Pediatric oxygenator (Maquet Cardiovascular, LLC, Wayne, NJ).

Design: Retrospective medical record review.

Setting: Two free-standing tertiary/quaternary pediatric children's hospitals.

Brain Natriuretic Peptide: It's Not About the Brain or Just Another Smart Polypeptide--It's About the Heart.

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a cardiac hormone with diuretic, natriuretic, and vasodilator properties. Measurement of plasma B-type natriuretic peptide concentrations is increasingly used to aid diagnosis, assess prognosis, and tailor treatment in adults with congestive heart failure. Recent studies suggest that the peptide is also useful in pediatric patients.