Pediatric Procedural Sedation and Analgesia

Adverse events during sedation for oro-dental trauma in an Israeli paediatric emergency department

There is a paucity of data regarding the safety of the practice of sedation for oro-dental trauma in paediatric emergency departments (ED). A previous study reported the safety of intramuscular ketamine administered as a single agent. In the paediatric ED of a tertiary trauma centre in Israel, one of two ketamine-based regimens is used for sedating children with intraoral injuries according to the physician's discretion: a single dose of intramuscular ketamine or a combination of ketamine and propofol (KP) intravenously. The aim of this study was to assess the safety of KP sedation in children undergoing emergency treatment of oro-dental injuries in this paediatric ED. The primary outcome was sedation adverse events that required intervention (SAERI): prolonged oxygen desaturation and apnoea, laryngospasm, hypotension, bradycardia, partial or complete airway obstruction, and pulmonary aspiration. During the 2 years study period, 17 children were sedated with KP, 20 with intramuscular ketamine and 29 with nitrous oxide. Patients who were treated with ketamine-based sedation or with nitrous oxide sedation had a median (interquartile range, IQR) age of 3 (2-4) years and 7 (5-9) years, respectively. No SAERI occurred in patients who were sedated with intramuscular ketamine. One (3.4%) SAERI was reported in a patient who was sedated with N₂ O. Six/17 (35%) SAERI occurred in patients who were sedated with KP. These findings suggest that caution should be used when young children with oro-dental injuries are sedated with KP in the ED.

Intranasal Fentanyl and Midazolam for Procedural Analgesia and Anxiolysis in Pediatric Urgent Care Centers

OBJECTIVES

Intranasal fentanyl and midazolam use is increasing in the acute care setting for analgesia and anxiolysis, but there is a lack of literature demonstrating their use, alone or in combination, at pediatric urgent care centers.

METHODS

This retrospective study investigated intranasal fentanyl and midazolam use at an urgent care center located within Le Bonheur Children's Hospital and 2 affiliated off-site centers from September 22, 2011, to December 30, 2015. Data collected included patient demographics, initial fentanyl dose, initial midazolam dose, type of procedure, and serious adverse drug reactions.

RESULTS

Of the 490 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 143 patients received intranasal fentanyl alone, 92 received intranasal midazolam alone, and 255 received fentanyl in combination with midazolam. The overall patient population was 50% male with a median (range) age of 4.5 (0.2-17.9) years, and most patients were black at 57.1%. The median (range) initial intranasal fentanyl dose was 2.02 (0.99-4.22) μg/kg, and the median initial (range) intranasal midazolam dose was 0.19 (0.07-0.42) mg/kg. In cases where fentanyl and midazolam were administered in combination, the median (range) initial fentanyl dose was 2.23 (0.6-4.98) μg/kg and median (range) initial midazolam dose was 0.2 (0.03-0.45) mg/kg. There were no serious adverse drug reactions reported.

CONCLUSIONS

Intranasal fentanyl and midazolam when administrated alone and in combination can provide analgesia and anxiolysis for minor procedures in pediatric patients treated in the urgent care setting.

Guidelines for Monitoring and Management of Pediatric Patients Before, During, and After Sedation for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures

The safe sedation of children for procedures requires a systematic approach that includes the following: no administration of sedating medication without the safety net of medical/dental supervision, careful presedation evaluation for underlying medical or surgical conditions that would place the child at increased risk from sedating medications, appropriate fasting for elective procedures and a balance between the depth of sedation and risk for those who are unable to fast because of the urgent nature of the procedure, a focused airway examination for large (kissing) tonsils or anatomic airway abnormalities that might increase the potential for airway obstruction, a clear understanding of the medication's pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects and drug interactions, appropriate training and skills in airway management to allow rescue of the patient, age- and size-appropriate equipment for airway management and venous access, appropriate medications and reversal agents, sufficient numbers of appropriately trained staff to both carry out the procedure and monitor the patient, appropriate physiologic monitoring during and after the procedure, a properly equipped and staffed recovery area, recovery to the presedation level of consciousness before discharge from medical/dental supervision, and appropriate discharge instructions. This report was developed through a collaborative effort of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry to offer pediatric providers updated information and guidance in delivering safe sedation to children.

The Expanding Role of Ketamine in the Emergency Department

Patients frequently come to the emergency department for pain. For decades, ketamine has been used in the emergency department for procedural sedation but is now receiving attention as a potential alternative to opioids because of its unique analgesic effects. Additionally, ketamine's dissociative properties have made it a popular choice for sedating profoundly agitated patients. In this narrative review, these new roles for ketamine in the emergency department are discussed.

Single dose oral midazolam for minor emergency department procedures in children: a retrospective cohort study

Background

In the pediatric emergency department, patients are commonly treated with a single dose of oral midazolam for minor procedures. We sought to evaluate the effect of this treatment on procedure completion rates.

Methods

We conducted a single-center retrospective cohort study of all patients who were treated with pre-procedure oral midazolam between January 2011 and June 2016. The primary outcome was the procedure completion rate.

Results

During the study period, 1,504 patients were treated with oral midazolam as per department protocol; 1,467 received midazolam and 37 declined midazolam. Oral midazolam was used in 14 different types of emergency department procedures. The procedure completion rates in the treatment and non-treatment groups were 1,402/1,467 (95.6%) and 24/37 (64.8%), respectively (difference 30.7%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 17.3%–46.8%); p<0.0001. Treatment group patients had procedure completion rates of 25/33 (75.8%), 165/188 (87.8%%), 1,154/1,187 (97.2%), and 58/59 (98.3%), in the less than 0.3 mg/kg group, 0.3 to less than 0.5 mg/kg group, 0.5 to less than 0.7 mg/kg group, and 0.7 to less than 0.9 mg/kg group, respectively. Multivariate regression did not demonstrate an association between sex, ethnicity, dosage of 0.5 mg/kg or greater, type of procedure, and failure to complete procedure. Severe adverse events were not recorded. A dose of less than 0.3 mg/kg was significantly associated with an increased risk of failure to complete a procedure (adjusted odds ratio 8.34, 95% CI 3.32–20.9; p<0.0001).

Conclusion

The findings suggest that oral midazolam in a single dose of 0.5 mg/kg or greater is associated with successful completion of minor pediatric procedures.

[Preparation of sedation-analgesia procedures in spanish paediatric emergency departments: A descriptive study]

INTRODUCTION

The objective of this study was to describe the current practice regarding the preparation of the sedation-analgesia (SA) procedures performed in the paediatric emergency centres in Spain.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A multicentre, observational and prospective analytical study was carried out on the SA procedures that were performed on children under 18 years-old in 18 paediatric emergency departments between February 2015 and January 2016.

RESULTS

A total of 658 SA procedures were registered in 18 hospitals of Spain, most of them to children older than 24 months. The type of the procedure was: simple analgesia in 57 (8.6%), sedation in 44 (6.7%), SA for a not very painful procedure in 275 (41.8%), and SA for a very painful procedure in 282 (42.9%). Informed consent was requested in 98.6% of the cases. The written form was more frequently preferred in the group of patients that received SA for a very painful procedure (76.6%) in comparison to a painful procedure or to simple analgesia (62.9% and 54.4%, respectively, P<.001). The staff that most frequently performed the SA procedures were the paediatricians of the emergency departments (64.3%), followed by Paediatrics Residents (30.7%). The most frequent reasons for the SA were traumatological (35.9%) and surgical (28.4%). Fasting was observed in 81% of the cases. More than two-thirds (67.3%, n=480) children were monitored, the majority (95.8%) of them using pulse oximetry. The pharmacological strategy used was the administration of one drug in 443 (67.3%) of the cases, mostly nitrous oxide, and a combination of drugs in 215 (32.7%), especially midazolam/ketamine (46.9%).

CONCLUSION

The majority of the SA procedures analysed in this study have been carried out correctly and prepared in accordance with the current guidelines.

A Two-way Randomized Cross-over Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Study of an Innovative Oral Solution of Midazolam (ADV6209)

PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to assess the bioavailability and the sedative effect of a single-dose administration of an innovative oral solution of midazolam containing γ-cyclodextrins (ADV6209).

METHODS

A bioavailability study with a standard two-sequences, two-periods, and crossover design was conducted. Subjects randomly received 15 mg of ADV6209 by oral route followed by 5 mg of the reference drug (midazolam hydrochloride intravenous solution (Hypnovel®, Roche) by intravenous route or vice versa. Blood samples were drawn at different time points to measure midazolam and its metabolite α-hydroxymidazolam concentrations. Non-compartmental pharmacokinetic methods were used to calculate main pharmacokinetic parameters and absolute bioavailability.

RESULTS

Caucasian healthy subjects (n = 12) were included in the study. ADV6209 had a bioavailability of 39.6%. The oral elimination half-life with ADV6209 was slightly shorter than with the reference i.v. form (2.66 h versus 2.99 h). The sedative effect was observed 27.5 ± 15.5 min after oral administration for a duration of 48.5 ± 35.4 min. Double peak phenomenon was observed in 5 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Cyclodextrins have little impact on midazolam oral bioavailability and the pharmacokinetics parameters of midazolam formulation ADV6209 are close to those reported previously.

Guidelines for Monitoring and Management of Pediatric Patients Before, During, and After Sedation for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures: Update 2016

The safe sedation of children for procedures requires a systematic approach that includes the following: no administration of sedating medication without the safety net of medical/dental supervision, careful presedation evaluation for underlying medical or surgical conditions that would place the child at increased risk from sedating medications, appropriate fasting for elective procedures and a balance between the depth of sedation and risk for those who are unable to fast because of the urgent nature of the procedure, a focused airway examination for large (kissing) tonsils or anatomic airway abnormalities that might increase the potential for airway obstruction, a clear understanding of the medication's pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects and drug interactions, appropriate training and skills in airway management to allow rescue of the patient, age- and size-appropriate equipment for airway management and venous access, appropriate medications and reversal agents, sufficient numbers of staff to both carry out the procedure and monitor the patient, appropriate physiologic monitoring during and after the procedure, a properly equipped and staffed recovery area, recovery to the presedation level of consciousness before discharge from medical/dental supervision, and appropriate discharge instructions. This report was developed through a collaborative effort of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry to offer pediatric providers updated information and guidance in delivering safe sedation to children.

Incidence of adverse events in paediatric procedural sedation in the emergency department: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the incidence of adverse events in the emergency department (ED) during procedural sedation in the paediatric population. Randomised controlled trials and observational studies from the past 10 years were included. We adhere to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement.

SETTING

ED.

PARTICIPANTS

Children.

INTERVENTIONS

Procedural sedation.

OUTCOMES

Adverse events like vomiting, agitation, hypoxia and apnoea. Meta-analysis was performed with random-effects model and reported as incidence rates with 95% CIs.

RESULTS

A total of 1177 studies were retrieved for screening and 258 were selected for full-text review. 41 studies reporting on 13 883 procedural sedations in 13 876 children (≤18 years) were included. The most common adverse events (all reported per 1000 sedations) were: vomiting 55.5 (CI 45.2 to 65.8), agitation 17.9 (CI 12.2 to 23.7), hypoxia 14.8 (CI 10.2 to 19.3) and apnoea 7.1 (CI 3.2 to 11.0). The need to intervene with either bag valve mask, oral airway or positive pressure ventilation occurred in 5.0 per 1000 sedations (CI 2.3 to 7.6). The incidences of severe respiratory events were: 34 cases of laryngospasm among 8687 sedations (2.9 per 1000 sedations, CI 1.1 to 4.7; absolute rate 3.9 per 1000 sedations), 4 intubations among 9136 sedations and 0 cases of aspiration among 3326 sedations. 33 of the 34 cases of laryngospasm occurred in patients who received ketamine.

CONCLUSIONS

Serious adverse respiratory events are very rare in paediatric procedural sedation in the ED. Emesis and agitation are the most frequent adverse events. Hypoxia, a late indicator of respiratory depression, occurs in 1.5% of sedations. Laryngospasm, though rare, happens most frequently with ketamine. The results of this study provide quantitative risk estimates to facilitate shared decision-making, risk communication, informed consent and resource allocation in children undergoing procedural sedation in the ED.

Paediatric procedural sedation within the emergency department

Procedural sedation and analgesia in children requires the use of non-pharmacological and pharmacological approaches to facilitate the management of painful procedures. The development of skills in such techniques has mirrored the development of paediatric emergency medicine as a subspecialty. Governance, education and credentialing must facilitate safe sedation practice, using a structured approach, as sedating children in the busy environment of an emergency department is not without risk. Emergency clinicians, patients and caregivers all have a role to play in developing a safe, effective sedation plan.

Sedation with the Combination of Ketamine and Propofol in a Pediatric ED: A Retrospective Case Series Analysis

BACKGROUND

Literature to date has suggested advantages of sedation with the combination of ketamine and propofol over ketamine alone or propofol alone. However, there is a paucity of data regarding sedation with the combination of ketamine and propofol in pediatric emergency medicine.

METHODS

A retrospective case series analysis of children who underwent sedation with the combination of ketamine and propofol in a pediatric emergency department was conducted. Study covariates were extracted from the emergency department medical records.

RESULTS

Four hundred twenty-nine patients, 297 males and 132 females, with a median age of 6.8 years (interquartile range, 3.9-10.9 years), underwent sedation by pediatric emergency physicians. Serious adverse events during sedation (SAEDS) were recorded in 52 procedures (12.1%), which included 39 hypoxic events (9.1%), 12 apneic events (2.8%), and 1 laryngospasm (0.2%). All SAEDS were managed successfully, and no child underwent intubation because of an adverse reaction or required hospitalization. Multivariate logistic regression analysis did not reveal any association between age, weight, fasting time, analgesic medication provided before sedation, length of procedure, capnography use, dosages of medications, and the presence of SAEDS.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the largest reported series of sedation with the combination of ketamine and propofol in pediatric emergency medicine. Findings suggest that sedation with the combination of ketamine and propofol can be safely performed by a skilled emergency physician.