Neonatal Carotid Artery and Internal Jugular Vein Management Practices at Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Decannulation: No Standard Approach.

Background: There are currently no commonly accepted standardized guidelines for management of cervical vessels at neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) decannulation. This study investigates neonatal ECMO decannulation practices regarding management of the carotid artery and internal jugular vein, use of post-repair anticoagulation, and follow-up imaging.

Methods: A survey was distributed to the 37 institutions in the Children's Hospitals Neonatal Consortium.

Enteral tube feeding selection at NICU discharge and resource utilization.

Objective: To evaluate resource utilization in infants discharged with different forms of feeding access.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review of neonates discharged from 2012 to 2018. Data were collected from the medical record and relevant outcomes were compared.

Utility of cephalic drains in infants receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Introduction: The addition of cephalic drains (CDs) in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to augment venous drainage may offer benefit, though their use is varied. Our objective was to describe our institution's experience with CDs including flow rates and patency. We also compared complication rates between patients with and without a CD.

Blood product transfusion and mortality in neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Background: Neonates receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support are transfused large volumes of red blood cells (RBCs) and platelets (PLTs). Transfusions are often administered in response to specific, but largely unstudied thresholds. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between RBC and PLT transfusion rates and mortality in neonates receiving ECMO support.

Inotrope Needs in Neonates Requiring Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Respiratory Failure.

Objective: To evaluate how inotropic requirements in neonates with respiratory failure are affected by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) mode and whether high requirements predict mortality.

Study Design: This retrospective chart review included all neonates undergoing ECMO for primary respiratory failure from 2010 to 2016 at a single institution. The vasoactive inotropy score (VIS) was calculated as described in the literature.

Thoracoscopic Repair of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia After Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: Feasibility and Outcomes.

Introduction: Thoracoscopic repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) has been associated with faster recovery, earlier extubation, and decreased morbidity. Nevertheless, thoracoscopic repair is rarely attempted in the post-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) patient. Commonly cited reasons for not attempting thoracoscopy include concerns that the patients' respiratory status is too tenuous to tolerate insufflation pressures or that presumed defect size is so large that it precludes thoracoscopic repair.

Mass spectrometric and computational analysis of cytokine-induced alterations in the astrocyte secretome.

The roles of astrocytes in the CNS have been expanding beyond the long held view of providing passive, supportive functions. Recent evidence has identified roles in neuronal development, extracellular matrix maintenance, and response to inflammatory challenges. Therefore, insights into astrocyte secretion are critically important for understanding physiological responses and pathological mechanisms in CNS diseases.