Mathematical analysis of hemoglobin target in univentricular parallel circulation.

Objective: The hemoglobin threshold for a decision to transfuse red blood cells in univentricular patients with parallel circulation is unclear. A pediatric expertise initiative put forth a "weak recommendation" for avoiding reflexive transfusion beyond a hemoglobin of 9 g/dL. We have created a mathematical model to assess the impact of hemoglobin thresholds in patients with parallel circulation.

Nuclear Cell-Free DNA Predicts Adverse Events After Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery.

Background: Preoperative risk stratification in cardiac surgery includes patient and procedure factors that are used in clinical decision-making. Despite these tools, unidentified factors contribute to variation in outcomes. Identification of latent physiologic risk factors may strengthen predictive models.

Impact of Reintervention During Stage 1 Palliation Hospitalization: A National, Multicenter Study.

Background: Stage 1 palliation (S1P) for hypoplastic left heart syndrome remains associated with high morbidity and mortality. Previous studies on burden of reinterventions did not include patients who remain hospitalized before stage 2 palliation (S2P). This study described the rate of reintervention during S1P hospitalization and sought to determine the impact of reintervention on outcomes.

Cumulative comorbid conditions influence mortality risk after staged palliation for hypoplastic left heart syndrome and variants.

Objective: Prematurity, low birth weight, genetic syndromes, extracardiac conditions, and secondary cardiac lesions are considered high-risk conditions associated with mortality after stage 1 palliation. We report the impact of these conditions on outcomes from a prospective multicenter improvement collaborative.

Methods: The National Pediatric Cardiology Quality Improvement Collaborative Phase II registry was queried.

Effects of Arterial Carbon Dioxide Tension on Cerebral and Somatic Regional Tissue Oxygenation and Blood Flow in Neonates After the Norwood Procedure With Deep Hypothermic Cardiopulmonary Bypass.

Neonates undergoing the Norwood procedure for hypoplastic left heart syndrome are at higher risk of impaired systemic oxygen delivery with resultant brain, kidney, and intestinal ischemic injury, shock, and death. Complex developmental, anatomic, and treatment-related influences on cerebral and renal-somatic circulations make individualized treatment strategies physiologically attractive. Monitoring cerebral and renal circulations with near infrared spectroscopy can help drive rational therapeutic interventions.

Elevated nuclear and mitochondrial cell-free deoxyribonucleic acid measurements are associated with death after infant cardiac surgery.

Objectives: Mortality rates following pediatric cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass have declined over decades, but have plateaued in recent years. This is in part attributable to persistent issues with postoperative global inflammation and myocardial dysfunction, commonly manifested by systemic inflammatory response syndrome and low cardiac output syndrome, respectively. Quantified cell-free DNA (cfDNA), of nuclear or mitochondrial origin, has emerged as a biomarker for both inflammation and myocardial injury.

COVID-19 pre-procedural testing strategy and early outcomes at a large tertiary care children's hospital.

Purpose: With the emergence of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, institutions were tasked with developing individualized pre-procedural testing strategies that allowed for re-initiation of elective procedures within national and state guidelines. This report describes the experience of a single US children's hospital (Children's Wisconsin, CW) in developing a universal pre-procedural COVID-19 testing protocol and reports early outcomes.

Methods: The CW pre-procedural COVID-19 response began with the creation of a multi-disciplinary taskforce that sought to develop a strategy for universal pre-procedural COVID-19 testing which (1) maximized patient safety, (2) prevented in-hospital viral transmission, (3) conserved resources, and (4) allowed for resumption of procedural care within institutional capacity.

Interventions Associated With Treatment of Low Cardiac Output After Stage 1 Norwood Palliation.

Background: Mortality after stage 1 palliation of hypoplastic left heart syndrome remains significant. Both cardiac output (CO) and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) contribute to hemodynamic vulnerability. Simultaneous measures of mean arterial pressure and somatic regional near infrared spectroscopy saturation can classify complex hemodynamics into 4 distinct states, with a low-CO state of higher risk.

Innominate Vein Turn-down Procedure for Failing Fontan Circulation.

After the Fontan, systemic venous hypertension induces pathophysiologic changes in the lymphatic system that can result in complications of pleural effusion, ascites, plastic bronchitis, and protein losing enteropathy. Advances in medical therapy and novel interventional approaches have not substantially improved the poor prognosis of these complications. A more physiological approach has been developed by decompression of the thoracic duct to the lower pressure common atrium with a concomitant increase of preload.

Changes in Health Care Utilization for Pediatric Patients Treated at a Specialized Outpatient Pain Clinic.

Introduction: Pediatric pain clinics may be the most efficacious way to manage chronic and recurrent pain in children and adolescents, but families often rely heavily on nonspecialized care, such as the emergency department (ED). Health care utilization patterns for pediatric chronic pain have not been fully explored, particularly the patient-level factors that may contribute to underutilization or overutilization of certain services.

Objectives: To identify health care utilization patterns before and after treatment at a pediatric pain clinic and the associations by primary diagnosis and patient sociodemographics.

Identification of Time-Dependent Risks of Hemodynamic States After Stage 1 Norwood Palliation.

Background: Mortality after stage 1 palliation of hypoplastic left heart syndrome remains significant. Hemodynamic changes result from interaction of cardiac output (CO) and systemic vascular resistance (SVR). We sought to identify time-dependent changes in postoperative hemodynamic states and their associations with mortality.

Safety and Efficacy of Vasopressin After Fontan Completion: A Randomized Pilot Study.

Background: Arginine vasopressin is a nonapeptide hormone with effects on intracellular water transport and arterial tone that is used in distributive shock and following cardiopulmonary bypass. We sought to evaluate the safety and efficacy of vasopressin infusion on hemodynamics and fluid balance in the early postoperative period after Fontan completion.

Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study of vasopressin infusion for 24 hours after cardiopulmonary bypass for Fontan completion.

Staged biliary reconstruction after liver transplantation: A novel surgical strategy for high acuity pediatric transplant recipients.

Introduction: Biliary complications after pediatric orthotopic liver transplantation remain causes of significant patient morbidity. Staged operative approach in complex hepatobiliary surgery has improved postoperative outcomes but has not been evaluated in pediatric orthotopic liver transplantation. We sought to analyze the outcomes of staged biliary reconstruction after orthotopic liver transplantation in high acuity patients.

Central ECMO for circulatory failure following pediatric liver transplantation.

We describe the case of a 4-year-old male with a past medical history significant for nephrotic syndrome, short-bowel syndrome and fulminant hepatic failure status post (s/p) liver transplant (LT) who developed early post-transplant allograft dysfunction (hyperbilirubinemia, coagulopathy) and septic shock requiring central extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). He remained on ECMO for 85 hours before he was decannulated without event and later underwent repeat LT. This case highlights the potential of central ECMO to provide the circulatory output necessary to reverse distributive shock physiology in patients with sepsis and hepatic dysfunction following LT.

Impact of Anticoagulation and Circuit Technology on Complications During Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact a change in anticoagulation protocol and circuit technology had on bleeding and thrombotic complications in patients supported on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). A retrospective review at a tertiary, academic pediatric intensive care unit was undertaken. The anticoagulation protocol changed from targeting an activated clotting time (ACT) to anti-Xa level.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Infants and Children With Cardiac Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.

Cardiac arrest occurs at a higher rate in children with heart disease than in healthy children. Pediatric basic life support and advanced life support guidelines focus on delivering high-quality resuscitation in children with normal hearts. The complexity and variability in pediatric heart disease pose unique challenges during resuscitation.

Postoperative Cerebral and Somatic Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Saturations and Outcome in Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome.

Background: Circulatory vulnerability reflected by low systemic venous oxygen saturation after surgical palliation of hypoplastic left heart syndrome predicts adverse neurologic outcome and reduced survival, and targeting venous saturation may improve outcome. We herein test the hypothesis that near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)-derived cerebral and somatic/renal regional saturations can predict survival.

Methods: Patient data, from a prospective Institutional Review Board-approved registry of hemodynamic measures after initial palliation of hypoplastic left heart syndrome, were analyzed with logistic and multivariable mixed regression methods to determine relationships between standard hemodynamic measures, direct and NIRS measures of saturation, and outcome.

Near Infrared Spectroscopy as a Hemodynamic Monitor in Critical Illness.

Objectives: The objectives of this review are to discuss the technology and clinical interpretation of near infrared spectroscopy oximetry and its clinical application in patients with congenital heart disease.

Data Source: MEDLINE and PubMed.

Conclusion: Near infrared spectroscopy provides a continuous noninvasive assessment of tissue oxygenation.

Effect of Intercurrent Operation and Cerebral Oxygenation on Developmental Trajectory in Congenital Heart Disease.

Background: Children with congenital heart disease are at increased risk of abnormal neurodevelopment (ND). Demographic and perioperative physiologic factors have both been associated with developmental outcome. The acute physiologic effect of a surgical procedure, anesthesia, and hospitalization may offset any potential advantage gained from anatomic correction and circulatory palliation.

Gas analysis using Raman spectroscopy demonstrates the presence of intraperitoneal air (nitrogen and oxygen) in a cohort of children undergoing pediatric laparoscopic surgery.

Clinically significant gas embolism during laparoscopy is a rare but potentially catastrophic event. Case reports suggest that air, in addition to the insufflation gas, may be present. We studied the effects of equipment design and flushing techniques on the composition of gas present under experimental and routine pediatric surgical conditions.

Increased recombinant activated factor VII use and need for surgical reexploration following a switch from aprotinin to epsilon-aminocaproic acid in infant cardiac surgery.

Study Objective: To evaluate whether conversion from aprotinin to epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA) during infant cardiac surgery was associated with increased perioperative bleeding.

Design: Structured retrospective chart review.

Setting: University-affiliated large congenital cardiac surgery program.

All this monitoring…what's necessary, what's not?

The goal of perioperative monitoring is to aid the clinician in optimizing care to achieve the best possible survival with the lowest possible morbidity. Ideally, we would like to have monitoring that can rapidly and accurately identify perturbations in circulatory well-being that would permit timely intervention and allow for restoration before the patient is damaged. The evidence to support the use of our standard monitoring strategies (continuous electrocardiography, blood pressure, central venous pressure, oxygen saturation and capnography) is based on expert opinion, case series, or at best observational studies.

Risk and prevalence of developmental delay in young children with congenital heart disease.

Background And Objective: Children with congenital heart disease (CHD) are at risk for developmental delay (DD). Changes in cognitive, language, and motor skills in early childhood have not been described. We report the results of a structured approach using longitudinal testing to identify problems and ensure early intervention in accordance with published guidelines.