Electrocardiogram for heart rate evaluation during preterm resuscitation at birth: a randomized trial

Electronic Heart (ECG) Monitoring at Birth and Newborn Resuscitation

BACKGROUND

Approximately 10% of newborns require assistance at delivery, and heart rate (HR) is the primary vital sign providers use to guide resuscitation methods. In 2016, the American Heart Association (AHA) suggested electrocardiogram in the delivery room (DR-ECG) to measure heart rate during resuscitation. This study aimed to compare the frequency of resuscitation methods used before and after implementation of the AHA recommendations.

METHODS

This longitudinal retrospective cohort study compared a pre-implementation (2015) cohort with two post-implementation cohorts (2017, 2021) at our Level IV neonatal intensive care unit.

RESULTS

An initial increase in chest compressions at birth associated with the introduction of DR-ECG monitoring was mitigated by focused educational interventions on effective ventilation. Implementation was accompanied by no changes in neonatal mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Investigation of neonatal outcomes during the ongoing incorporation of DR-ECG may help our understanding of human and system factors, identify ways to optimize resuscitation team performance, and assess the impact of targeted training initiatives on clinical outcomes.

2023 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations: Summary From the Basic Life Support; Advanced Life Support; Pediatric Life Support; Neonatal Life Support; Education, Implementation, and Teams; and First Aid Task Forces

The International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation engages in a continuous review of new, peer-reviewed, published cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid science. Draft Consensus on Science With Treatment Recommendations are posted online throughout the year, and this annual summary provides more concise versions of the final Consensus on Science With Treatment Recommendations from all task forces for the year. Topics addressed by systematic reviews this year include resuscitation of cardiac arrest from drowning, extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation for adults and children, calcium during cardiac arrest, double sequential defibrillation, neuroprognostication after cardiac arrest for adults and children, maintaining normal temperature after preterm birth, heart rate monitoring methods for diagnostics in neonates, detection of exhaled carbon dioxide in neonates, family presence during resuscitation of adults, and a stepwise approach to resuscitation skills training. Members from 6 International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation task forces have assessed, discussed, and debated the quality of the evidence, using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation criteria, and their statements include consensus treatment recommendations. Insights into the deliberations of the task forces are provided in the Justification and Evidence-to-Decision Framework Highlights sections. In addition, the task forces list priority knowledge gaps for further research. Additional topics are addressed with scoping reviews and evidence updates.

2023 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations: Summary From the Basic Life Support; Advanced Life Support; Pediatric Life Support; Neonatal Life Support; Education, Implementation, and Teams; and First Aid Task Forces

The International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation engages in a continuous review of new, peer-reviewed, published cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid science. Draft Consensus on Science With Treatment Recommendations are posted online throughout the year, and this annual summary provides more concise versions of the final Consensus on Science With Treatment Recommendations from all task forces for the year. Topics addressed by systematic reviews this year include resuscitation of cardiac arrest from drowning, extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation for adults and children, calcium during cardiac arrest, double sequential defibrillation, neuroprognostication after cardiac arrest for adults and children, maintaining normal temperature after preterm birth, heart rate monitoring methods for diagnostics in neonates, detection of exhaled carbon dioxide in neonates, family presence during resuscitation of adults, and a stepwise approach to resuscitation skills training. Members from 6 International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation task forces have assessed, discussed, and debated the quality of the evidence, using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation criteria, and their statements include consensus treatment recommendations. Insights into the deliberations of the task forces are provided in the Justification and Evidence-to-Decision Framework Highlights sections. In addition, the task forces list priority knowledge gaps for further research. Additional topics are addressed with scoping reviews and evidence updates.

Race and Ethnicity of Infants Enrolled in Neonatal Clinical Trials: A Systematic Review

Importance

Representativeness of populations within neonatal clinical trials is crucial to moving the field forward. Although racial and ethnic disparities in research inclusion are well documented in other fields, they are poorly described within neonatology.

Objective

To describe the race and ethnicity of infants included in a sample of recent US neonatal clinical trials and the variability in this reporting.

Evidence Review

A systematic search of US neonatal clinical trials entered into Cochrane CENTRAL 2017 to 2021 was conducted. Two individuals performed inclusion determination, data extraction, and quality assessment independently with discrepancies adjudicated by consensus.

Findings

Of 120 studies with 14 479 participants that met the inclusion criteria, 75 (62.5%) included any participant race or ethnicity data. In the studies that reported race and ethnicity, the median (IQR) percentage of participants of each background were 0% (0%-1%) Asian, 26% (9%-42%) Black, 3% (0%-12%) Hispanic, 0% (0%-0%) Indigenous (eg, Alaska Native, American Indian, and Native Hawaiian), 0% (0%-0%) multiple races, 57% (30%-68%) White, and 7% (1%-21%) other race or ethnicity. Asian, Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous participants were underrepresented, while White participants were overrepresented compared with a reference sample of the US clinical neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) population from the Vermont Oxford Network. Many participants were labeled as other race or ethnicity without adequate description. There was substantial variability in terms and methods of reporting race and ethnicity data. Geographic representation was heavily skewed toward the Northeast, with nearly one-quarter of states unrepresented.

Conclusions and Relevance

These findings suggest that neonatal research may perpetuate inequities by underrepresenting Asian, Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous neonates in clinical trials. Studies varied in documentation of race and ethnicity, and there was regional variation in the sites included. Based on these findings, funders and clinical trialists are advised to consider a 3-point targeted approach to address these issues: prioritize identifying ways to increase diversity in neonatal clinical trial participation, agree on a standardized method to report race and ethnicity among neonatal clinical trial participants, and prioritize the inclusion of participants from all regions of the US in neonatal clinical trials.

Back vs. chest ECG electrode placement in neonatal resuscitation: A pilot randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The recent Neonatal Resuscitation Program advises the early utilization of an electrocardiogram (ECG) for non-vigorous newborns in the delivery room. However, placing ECG electrodes on the chest may delay obtaining a reliable heart rate (HR) and could interfere with chest compressions. Our previous study showed that preset ECG electrodes, attached to the back of the newborn, are quicker than a pulse oximeter (POX) for detecting HR.

AIM

To compare time to detect a reliable HR using back-placed ECG electrodes versus standard front placement.

METHODS

Infants were randomly assigned to back (n = 85) or chest (n = 89) electrode placement. Time measurement began upon placing infants on a Panda warmer ResusView. Failure was defined as no HR detected within 5 minutes. Intention-to-treat analysis compared HR signal acquisition time between groups.

RESULTS

Both groups showed similar proportions of detectable HR within the first minute. Median (IQR) time to obtain HR was 26 (13,38) seconds for the chest group and 21 (12,54) seconds for the back group (p = 0.91). A large number of vigorous infants were included. In the chest group, these vigorous infants had shorter HR acquisition times than non-vigorous infants (Mean ± SD of 34 ± 48 seconds vs. 50 ± 44 seconds respectively; p = 0.049). Failure rates and time to acquire a HR for infants who were non-vigorous and required advanced resuscitation were similar between the back and chest groups (p = 0.51).

CONCLUSION

Preset back ECG electrodes have shown encouraging results in neonates requiring advanced resuscitation. Further studies are needed to enhance guidance during neonatal resuscitation.

Evaluating a Novel Infant Heart Rate Detector for Neonatal Resuscitation Efforts: Protocol for a Proof-of-Concept Study

BACKGROUND

Over 10 million newborns worldwide undergo resuscitation at birth each year. Pediatricians may use electrocardiogram (ECG), pulse oximetry (PO), and stethoscope in determining heart rate (HR), as HR guides the need for and steps of resuscitation. HR must be obtained quickly and accurately. Unfortunately, the current diagnostic modalities are either too slow, obtaining HR in more than a minute, or inaccurate. With time constraints, a reliable robust heart rate detector (HRD) modality is required. This paper discusses a protocol for conducting a methods-based comparison study to determine the HR accuracy of a novel real-time HRD based on 3D-printed dry-electrode single-lead ECG signals for cost-effective and quick HR determination. The HRD's HR results are compared to either clinical-grade ECG or PO monitors to ensure robustness and accuracy.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to design and examine the feasibility of a proof-of-concept HRD that quickly obtains HR using biocompatible 3D-printed dry electrodes for single-lead neonatal ECG acquisition. This study uses a novel HRD and compares it to the gold-standard 3-lead clinical ECG or PO in a hospital setting.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study is planned to be conducted in the neonatal intensive care unit or postpartum unit of a large community teaching hospital in Toronto, Canada, from June 2023 to June 2024. In total, 50 newborns will be recruited for this study. The HRD and an ECG or PO monitor will be video recorded using a digital camera concurrently for 3 minutes for each newborn. Hardware-based signal processing and patent-pending embedded algorithm-based HR estimation techniques are applied directly to the raw collected single-lead ECG and displayed on the HRD in real time during video recordings. These data will be annotated and compared to the ECG or PO readings at the same points in time. Accuracy, F1-score, and other statistical metrics will be produced to determine the HRD's feasibility in providing reliable HR.

RESULTS

The study is ongoing. The projected end date for data collection is around July 2024.

CONCLUSIONS

The study will compare the novel patent-pending 3D-printed dry electrode-based HRD's real-time HR estimation techniques with the state-of-the-art clinical-grade ECG or PO monitors for HR accuracy and examines how fast the HRD provides reliable HR. The study will further provide recommendations and important improvements that can be made to implement the HRD for clinical applications, especially in neonatal resuscitation efforts. This work can be seen as a stepping stone in the development of robust dry-electrode single-lead ECG devices for HR estimations in the pediatric population.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/45512.

European Consensus Guidelines on the Management of Respiratory Distress Syndrome: 2022 Update

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) care pathways evolve slowly as new evidence emerges. We report the sixth version of "European Guidelines for the Management of RDS" by a panel of experienced European neonatologists and an expert perinatal obstetrician based on available literature up to end of 2022. Optimising outcome for babies with RDS includes prediction of risk of preterm delivery, appropriate maternal transfer to a perinatal centre, and appropriate and timely use of antenatal steroids. Evidence-based lung-protective management includes initiation of non-invasive respiratory support from birth, judicious use of oxygen, early surfactant administration, caffeine therapy, and avoidance of intubation and mechanical ventilation where possible. Methods of ongoing non-invasive respiratory support have been further refined and may help reduce chronic lung disease. As technology for delivering mechanical ventilation improves, the risk of causing lung injury should decrease, although minimising time spent on mechanical ventilation by targeted use of postnatal corticosteroids remains essential. The general care of infants with RDS is also reviewed, including emphasis on appropriate cardiovascular support and judicious use of antibiotics as being important determinants of best outcome. We would like to dedicate this guideline to the memory of Professor Henry Halliday who died on November 12, 2022.These updated guidelines contain evidence from recent Cochrane reviews and medical literature since 2019. Strength of evidence supporting recommendations has been evaluated using the GRADE system. There are changes to some of the previous recommendations as well as some changes to the strength of evidence supporting recommendations that have not changed. This guideline has been endorsed by the European Society for Paediatric Research (ESPR) and the Union of European Neonatal and Perinatal Societies (UENPS).

2022 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations: Summary From the Basic Life Support; Advanced Life Support; Pediatric Life Support; Neonatal Life Support; Education, Implementation, and Teams; and First Aid Task Forces

This is the sixth annual summary of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations. This summary addresses the most recently published resuscitation evidence reviewed by International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation Task Force science experts. Topics covered by systematic reviews include cardiopulmonary resuscitation during transport; approach to resuscitation after drowning; passive ventilation; minimizing pauses during cardiopulmonary resuscitation; temperature management after cardiac arrest; use of diagnostic point-of-care ultrasound during cardiac arrest; use of vasopressin and corticosteroids during cardiac arrest; coronary angiography after cardiac arrest; public-access defibrillation devices for children; pediatric early warning systems; maintaining normal temperature immediately after birth; suctioning of amniotic fluid at birth; tactile stimulation for resuscitation immediately after birth; use of continuous positive airway pressure for respiratory distress at term birth; respiratory and heart rate monitoring in the delivery room; supraglottic airway use in neonates; prearrest prediction of in-hospital cardiac arrest mortality; basic life support training for likely rescuers of high-risk populations; effect of resuscitation team training; blended learning for life support training; training and recertification for resuscitation instructors; and recovery position for maintenance of breathing and prevention of cardiac arrest. Members from 6 task forces have assessed, discussed, and debated the quality of the evidence using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation criteria and generated consensus treatment recommendations. Insights into the deliberations of the task forces are provided in the Justification and Evidence-to-Decision Framework Highlights sections, and priority knowledge gaps for future research are listed.

2022 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations: Summary From the Basic Life Support; Advanced Life Support; Pediatric Life Support; Neonatal Life Support; Education, Implementation, and Teams; and First Aid Task Forces

This is the sixth annual summary of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations. This summary addresses the most recently published resuscitation evidence reviewed by International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation Task Force science experts. Topics covered by systematic reviews include cardiopulmonary resuscitation during transport; approach to resuscitation after drowning; passive ventilation; minimizing pauses during cardiopulmonary resuscitation; temperature management after cardiac arrest; use of diagnostic point-of-care ultrasound during cardiac arrest; use of vasopressin and corticosteroids during cardiac arrest; coronary angiography after cardiac arrest; public-access defibrillation devices for children; pediatric early warning systems; maintaining normal temperature immediately after birth; suctioning of amniotic fluid at birth; tactile stimulation for resuscitation immediately after birth; use of continuous positive airway pressure for respiratory distress at term birth; respiratory and heart rate monitoring in the delivery room; supraglottic airway use in neonates; prearrest prediction of in-hospital cardiac arrest mortality; basic life support training for likely rescuers of high-risk populations; effect of resuscitation team training; blended learning for life support training; training and recertification for resuscitation instructors; and recovery position for maintenance of breathing and prevention of cardiac arrest. Members from 6 task forces have assessed, discussed, and debated the quality of the evidence using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation criteria and generated consensus treatment recommendations. Insights into the deliberations of the task forces are provided in the Justification and Evidence-to-Decision Framework Highlights sections, and priority knowledge gaps for future research are listed.

2022 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations: Summary From the Basic Life Support; Advanced Life Support; Pediatric Life Support; Neonatal Life Support; Education, Implementation, and Teams; and First Aid Task Forces

This is the sixth annual summary of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations. This summary addresses the most recently published resuscitation evidence reviewed by International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation Task Force science experts. Topics covered by systematic reviews include cardiopulmonary resuscitation during transport; approach to resuscitation after drowning; passive ventilation; minimising pauses during cardiopulmonary resuscitation; temperature management after cardiac arrest; use of diagnostic point-of-care ultrasound during cardiac arrest; use of vasopressin and corticosteroids during cardiac arrest; coronary angiography after cardiac arrest; public-access defibrillation devices for children; pediatric early warning systems; maintaining normal temperature immediately after birth; suctioning of amniotic fluid at birth; tactile stimulation for resuscitation immediately after birth; use of continuous positive airway pressure for respiratory distress at term birth; respiratory and heart rate monitoring in the delivery room; supraglottic airway use in neonates; prearrest prediction of in-hospital cardiac arrest mortality; basic life support training for likely rescuers of high-risk populations; effect of resuscitation team training; blended learning for life support training; training and recertification for resuscitation instructors; and recovery position for maintenance of breathing and prevention of cardiac arrest. Members from 6 task forces have assessed, discussed, and debated the quality of the evidence using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation criteria and generated consensus treatment recommendations. Insights into the deliberations of the task forces are provided in the Justification and Evidence-to-Decision Framework Highlights sections, and priority knowledge gaps for future research are listed.