Prospective evaluation of dexmedetomidine for noninvasive procedural sedation in children.

Objective: Children often require sedation for lengthy noninvasive procedures. Conventional agents such as chloral hydrate, benzodiazepines, or barbiturates have been associated with sedation failure, respiratory depression, and paradoxic agitation. Dexmedetomidine is a newer alpha(2)-adrenergic receptor agonist with sedative properties and minimal respiratory depression.

Validation of a noninvasive blood pressure monitoring device in normotensive and hypertensive pediatric intensive care patients.

Objective: To evaluate the performance and to define limitations of a noninvasive blood pressure monitoring device in the critically ill pediatric population.

Method: Patients were included in the study if they were admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, were between the ages of 1 month and 18 years with wrist circumferences of > or =10 cm, and had an indwelling arterial line. Patients were excluded if their systolic blood pressure differed by > or =7.