A prospective assessment of the effect of aminophylline therapy on urine output and inflammation in critically ill children.

Background: Aminophylline, an established bronchodilator, is also purported to be an effective diuretic and anti-inflammatory agent. However, the data to support these contentions are scant. We conducted a prospective, open-label, single arm, single center study to assess the hypothesis that aminophylline increases urine output and decreases inflammation in critically ill children.

Assessing pulmonary arterial hypertension in infants with severe chronic lung disease of infancy: a role for a pulmonary artery catheter?

The treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) associated with chronic lung disease of infancy (CLDI) is becoming commonplace. However, an optimal approach to the monitoring of this treatment has not been clearly established, and data suggest that such therapy may not be without risk. This study assessed the feasibility and safety of pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) placement and its role in the management of PAH associated with CLDI.

Safety and efficacy of sedation with propofol for transoesophageal echocardiography in children in an outpatient setting.

Background: Transoesophageal echocardiography has become a powerful tool in the diagnosis and management of children with congenital cardiac malformations. Unlike adults, children will not tolerate transoesophageal echocardiography under light sedation. This study was undertaken, therefore, to evaluate the safety and efficacy of deep sedation with propofol for transoesophageal echocardiography in children examined in an outpatient setting.

Cost-effectiveness of exogenous surfactant therapy in pediatric patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure.

Objective: To determine whether the use of exogenous surfactant (Infasurf) in pediatric acute hypoxemic respiratory failure is cost-effective.

Design: Deterministic cost-effectiveness analysis based on a Markov model. The model was calibrated using outcomes and resource utilization observed in a multiple-centered, prospective, randomized, controlled unblinded trial of Infasurf in pediatric acute hypoxemic respiratory failure.

Decreasing unplanned extubations: utilization of the Penn State Children's Hospital Sedation Algorithm.

Objective: To determine whether institution of a standardized algorithm of goal-directed sedation impacted the incidence of unplanned extubations in critically ill pediatric patients.

Design: Prospective, observational study with historical controls.

Setting: Pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) in a tertiary care university-based children's hospital.