Cardiopulmonary resuscitation in children

Outcomes of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in the Pediatric Intensive Care of a Tertiary Center

Understanding the factors affecting survival and modifying the preventable factors may improve patient outcomes following cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and outcomes of cardiac arrest and CPR events in a tertiary pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Outcomes of interest were the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) lasting more than 20 minutes, survival for 24 hours post-CPR, and survival to hospital discharge. We analyzed data from the PICU CPR registry from January 1, 2011 to January 1, 2018. All patients who underwent at least 2 minutes of CPR in the PICU were included. CPR was administered in 65 PICU instances, with a prevalence of 1.85%. The mean patient age was 32.7 months. ROSC occurred in 38 (58.5%) patients, 30 (46.2%) achieved 24-hour survival, and 21 (32.3%) survived to hospital discharge. Younger age ( p  < 0.018), respiratory cause ( p  < 0.001), bradycardia ( p  < 0.018), and short duration of CPR ( p  < 0.001) were associated with better outcomes, while sodium bicarbonate, norepinephrine, and vasopressin were associated with worse outcome ( p  < 0.009). The off-hour CPR had no impact on the outcome. The patients' cumulative predicted survival declined by an average of 8.7% for an additional 1 minute duration of CPR ( p  = 0.001). The study concludes that the duration of CPR, therefore, remains one of the crucial factors determining CPR outcomes and needs to be considered in parallel with the guideline emphasis on CPR quality. The lower survival rate post-ROSC needs careful consideration during parental counseling. Better anticipation and prevention of CPR remain ongoing challenges.

Resuscitating Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Training in a Virtual Reality: Prospective Interventional Study

Background

Simulation-based technologies are emerging to enhance medical education in the digital era. However, there is limited data for the use of virtual reality simulation in pediatric medical education. We developed Virtual Doc as a highly immersive virtual reality simulation to teach pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills to medical students.

Objective

The primary objectives of this study were to evaluate participant satisfaction and perceived educational efficacy of Virtual Doc. The secondary aim of this study was to assess the game play features of Virtual Doc.

Methods

We conducted a prospective closed beta-testing study at the University of New South Wales (Sydney, Australia) in 2018. All medical students from the 6-year undergraduate program were eligible to participate and were recruited through voluntary convenience sampling. Participants attended a 1-hour testing session and attempted at least one full resuscitation case using the virtual reality simulator. Following this, participants were asked to complete an anonymous postsession questionnaire. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results

A total of 26 participants were recruited, consented to participate in this study, and attended a 1-hour in-person closed beta-testing session, and 88% (23/26) of participants completed the anonymous questionnaire and were included in this study. Regarding participant satisfaction, Virtual Doc was enjoyed by 91% (21/23) of participants, with 74% (17/23) intending to recommend the simulation to a colleague and 66% (15/23) intending to recommend the simulation to a friend. In assessment of the perceived educational value of Virtual Doc, 70% (16/23) of participants agreed they had an improved understanding of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and 78% (18/23) agreed that Virtual Doc will help prepare for and deal with real-life clinical scenarios. Furthermore, 91% (21/23) of participants agreed with the development of additional Virtual Doc cases as beneficial for learning. An evaluation of the game play features as our secondary objective revealed that 70% (16/23) of participants agreed with ease in understanding how to use Virtual Doc, and 74% (17/23) found the game play elements useful in understanding cardiopulmonary resuscitation. One-third (7/23, 30%) found it easy to work with the interactive elements. In addition, 74% (17/23) were interested in interacting with other students within the simulation.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates a positive response regarding trainee satisfaction and perceived educational efficacy of Virtual Doc. The simulation was widely accepted by the majority of users and may have the potential to improve educational learning objectives.

Effects of regional differences on the outcome of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in children: How much different is Gaziantep from Izmir?

OBJECTIVES:

We aimed to compare the demographic and clinical characteristics between pediatric cardiac arrest patients treated in Gaziantep at South-eastern Anatolian region and Izmir at Aegean Shore.

MATERIALS And METHODS:

We retrospectively reviewed sociodemographic characteristics, laboratory parameters, and clinical outcomes of pediatric patients that underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation due to prehospital cardiac arrest at two pediatric emergency departments in Izmir Hospital of Health Sciences University and Gaziantep Cengiz Gökçek Kadın Doğum ve Çocuk Hospital of Health Ministry between August 2017 and August 2018.

RESULTS:

The present study included 188 patients (112 patients from Gaziantep and 76 patients from Izmir). All patients arrived at the hospital through emergency medical services. The median age was lower (14 days vs. 15 months; P < 0.001), and the proportion of Syrian refugees was higher in patients from Gaziantep (78.6% vs. 7.9%; P < 0,001). In both centers, respiratory failure was the most common etiology. In patients from Gaziantep, pH levels were lower (median: 7.10 vs. 7.24), and lactate levels were higher (median: 6 mmol/L vs. 3.6 mmol/L; P < 0.001). The mortality rate was higher among patients from Gaziantep (27.7% vs. 7.9%; P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS:

The rate of Syrian refugees among children who were brought to emergency department due to pre-hospital cardiac arrest was much higher in Gaziantep compared to Izmir. Syrian children were significantly younger and had more severe tissue hypoxia, resulting in a higher mortality rate.

Association between shockable rhythms and long-term outcome after pediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Rotterdam, the Netherlands: An 18-year observational study

INTRODUCTION

Shockable rhythm following pediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (pOHCA) is consistently associated with hospital and short-term survival. Little is known about the relationship between shockable rhythm and long-term outcomes (>1 year) after pOHCA. The aim was to investigate the association between first documented rhythm and long-term outcomes in a pOHCA cohort over 18 years.

METHODS

All children aged 1 day-18 years who experienced non-traumatic pOHCA between 2002-2019 and were subsequently admitted to the emergency department (ED) or pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital were included. Data was abstracted retrospectively from patient files, (ground) ambulance and Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) records, and follow-up clinics. Long-term outcome was determined using a Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category (PCPC) score at the longest available follow-up interval through august 2020. The primary outcome measure was survival with favorable neurologic outcome, defined as PCPC 1-2 or no difference between pre- and post-arrest PCPC. The association between first documented rhythm and the primary outcome was calculated in a multivariable regression model.

RESULTS

369 children were admitted, nine children were lost to follow-up. Median age at arrest was age 3.4 (IQR 0.8-9.9) years, 63% were male and 14% had a shockable rhythm (66% non-shockable, 20% unknown or return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) before emergency medical service (EMS) arrival). In adolescents (aged 12-18 years), 39% had shockable rhythm. 142 (39%) of children survived to hospital discharge. On median follow-up interval of 25 months (IQR 5.1-49.6), 115/142 (81%) of hospital survivors had favorable neurologic outcome. In multivariable analysis, shockable rhythm was associated with survival with favorable long-term neurologic outcome (OR 8.9 [95%CI 3.1-25.9]).

CONCLUSION

In children with pOHCA admitted to ED or PICU shockable rhythm had significantly higher odds of survival with long-term favorable neurologic outcome compared to non-shockable rhythm. Survival to hospital discharge after pOHCA was 39% over the 18-year study period. Of survivors to discharge, 81% had favorable long-term (median 25 months, IQR 5.1-49.6) neurologic outcome. Efforts for improving outcome of pOHCA should focus on early recognition and treatment of shockable pOHCA at scene.

Evolution and current state of global research on paediatric resuscitation: a systematic scientometric analysis

BACKGROUND

Paediatric resuscitation is rare but potentially associated with maximal lifetime reduction. Notably, several nations experience high infant mortality rates even today. To improve clinical outcomes and promote research, detailed analyses on evolution and current state of research on paediatric resuscitation are necessary.

METHODS

Research on paediatric resuscitation published in-between 1900 and 2019 were searched using Web of Science. Metadata were extracted and analyzed based on the science performance evaluation (SciPE) protocol. Research performance was evaluated regarding quality and quantity over time, including comparisons to adult resuscitation. National research performance was related to population, financial capacities, infant mortality rate, collaborations, and authors' gender.

RESULTS

Similar to adult resuscitation, research performance on paediatric resuscitation grew exponentially with most original articles being published during the last decade (1106/1896). The absolute number, however, is only 14% compared to adults. The United States dominate global research by contributing the highest number of articles (777), Hirsch-Index (70), and citations (18,863). The most productive collaboration was between the United States and Canada (52). When considering nation's population and gross domestic product (GDP) rate, Norway is leading regarding population per article (62,467), per Hirsch-Index (223,841), per citation (2226), and per GDP (2.3E-04). Regarding publications per infant mortality rate, efforts of India and Brazil are remarkable. Out of the 100 most frequently publishing researchers, 25% were female.

CONCLUSION

Research efforts on paediatric resuscitation have increased but remain underrepresented. Specifically, nations with high infant mortality rates should be integrated by collaborations. Additional efforts are required to overcome gender disparities.

Improved survival to hospital discharge in pediatric in-hospital cardiac arrest using 2 Joules/kilogram as first defibrillation dose for initial pulseless ventricular arrhythmia

The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends first defibrillation energy dose of 2 Joules/kilogram (J/kg) for pediatric cardiac arrest with ventricular fibrillation (VF) or pulseless ventricular tachycardia (pVT). However, optimal first energy dose remains unclear.

METHODS

Using AHA Get With the Guidelines-Resuscitation® (GWTG-R) database, we identified children ≤12 years with IHCA due to VF/pVT. Primary exposure was energy dose in J/kg. We categorized energy doses: 1.7-2.5 J/kg as reference (reflecting 2 J/kg intended dose), <1.7 J/kg and >2.5 J/kg. We compared survival for reference doses to all other doses. We constructed models to test association of energy dose with survival; adjusting for age, location, illness category, initial rhythm and vasoactive medications.

RESULTS

We identified 301 patients ≤12 years with index IHCA and initial VF/pVT. Survival to discharge was significantly lower with energy doses other than 1.7-2.5 J/kg. Individual dose categories of <1.7 J/kg or >2.5 J/kg were not associated with differences in survival. For patients with initial VF, doses >2.5 J/kg had worse survival compared to reference. For all patients ≤18 years (n = 422), there were no differences in survival between dosing categories. However, all ≤18 with initial VF receiving >2.5 J/kg had worse survival.

CONCLUSIONS

First energy doses other than 1.7-2.5 J/kg are associated with lower rate of survival to hospital discharge in patients ≤12 years old with initial VF/pVT, and first doses >2.5 J/kg had lower survival rates in all patients ≤18 years old with initial VF. These results support current AHA guidelines for first pediatric defibrillation energy dose of 2 J/kg.

Factors influencing termination of resuscitation in children: a qualitative analysis

BACKGROUND

Pediatric Advanced Life Support provides guidelines for resuscitating children in cardiopulmonary arrest. However, the role physicians' attitudes and beliefs play in decision-making when terminating resuscitation has not been fully investigated. This study aims to identify and explore the vital "non-medical" considerations surrounding the decision to terminate efforts by U.S.-based Pediatric Emergency Medicine (PEM) physicians.

METHODS

A phenomenological qualitative study was conducted using PEM physician experiences in terminating resuscitation within a large freestanding children's hospital. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 physicians, sampled purposively for their relevant content experience, and continued until the point of content saturation. Resulting data were coded using conventional content analysis by 2 coders; intercoder reliability was calculated as κ of 0.91. Coding disagreements were resolved through consultation with other authors.

RESULTS

Coding yielded 5 broad categories of "non-medical" factors that influenced physicians' decision to terminate resuscitation: legal and financial, parent-related, patient-related, physician-related, and resuscitation. When relevant, each factor was assigned a directionality tag indicating whether the factor influenced physicians to terminate a resuscitation, prolong a resuscitation, or not consider resuscitation. Seventy-eight unique factors were identified, 49 of which were defined by the research team as notable due to the frequency of their mention or novelty of concept.

CONCLUSION

Physicians consider numerous "non-medical" factors when terminating pediatric resuscitative efforts. Factors are tied largely to individual beliefs, attitudes, and values, and likely contribute to variability in practice. An increased understanding of the uncertainty that exists around termination of resuscitation may help physicians in objective clinical decision-making in similar situations.

Comparison of two-thumb encircling and two-finger technique during infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation with single rescuer in simulation studies: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The recommended chest compression technique for a single rescuer performing infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation is the two-finger technique. For 2 rescuers, a two-thumb-encircling hands technique is recommended. Several recent studies have reported that the two-thumb-encircling hands technique is more effective for high-quality chest compression than the two-finger technique for a single rescuer performing infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation. We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis of infant manikin studies to compare two-thumb-encircling hands technique with two-finger technique for a single rescuer.

METHODS

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library for eligible randomized controlled trials published prior to December 2017, including cross-over design studies. The primary outcome was the mean difference in chest compression depth (mm). The secondary outcome was the mean difference in chest compression rate (counts/min). A meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager (version 5.3. Copenhagen: The Nordic Cochrane Centre, The Cochrane Collaboration, 2014).

RESULTS

Six studies that had reported data concerning both chest compression depth and chest compression rate were included. The two-thumb-encircling hands technique was associated with deeper chest compressions compared with two-finger technique for mean chest compression depth (mean difference, 5.50 mm; 95% confidence interval, 0.32-10.69 mm; P = .04), but no significant difference in the mean chest compression rate (mean difference, 7.89 counts/min; 95% confidence interval, to 0.99, 16.77 counts/min; P = .08) was noted.

CONCLUSION

This study indicates that the two-thumb-encircling hands technique is a more appropriate technique for a single rescuer to perform high-quality chest compression in consideration of chest compression depth than the two-finger technique in infant manikin studies.

Extracorporeal Life Support Enhances the Forward Pressure Wave to Cause a Mismatch between Cardiac Oxygen Demand and Supply

Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) is a world-famous life-saving method. Until now, changes in arterial wave properties due to ECLS have remained unexamined. In this study, we determined the effects of ECLS on arterial wave properties and ventricular/arterial coupling in male Wistar rats with the measured aortic pressure alone. Ascending aortic pressure signals were measured before ECLS and at 30, 60, and 90 min after weaned off. The aortic pressure signal then calculated by fourth-order derivative to obtain an assumed triangular flow wave. The ratio of mean systolic pressure to mean diastolic pressure (P_ms/P_md), a parameter for evaluating the matching condition between myocardial oxygen demand and supply, was significantly higher after ECLS. The magnitude of forward pressure (|P_f|) augmented by ECLS prevailed over the backward pressure (|P_b|), leading to a decline in wave reflection factor. P_ms/P_md was positively linearly correlated with |P_f| (P_ms/P_md = 0.9177 + 0.0078 × |P_f|, r = 0.8677; P < 0.0001). These findings suggest that |P_f| was a predominant factor responsible for the mismatch between the myocardial oxygen demand and supply in rats after ECLS phase of experiment.

Pediatric cardiac arrest in the emergency department: Outcome is related to the time of admission

Objectives:

Nights and weekends represent a potentially high-risk time for pediatric cardiac arrest (CA) patients in emergency departments. Data regarding night or weekend arrest and its impact on outcomes is controversial. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between cardiopulmonary resuscitation during the various emergency department shifts and survival to discharge.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective, observational study of patients who had visited our Emergency Department for CAs from January 2014 to December 2016. Medical records and patient characteristics of 67 children with CA were retrieved from patient admission files.

Results:

The mean age was 54.7±7.3 months and 59% were male. Rates of survival to discharge 35% (11/31) within working hours’ vs. out of working hours 3% (1/36). Among the CAs presenting to the emergency department, the survival rates were higher for working hours than for non-working hours (OR: 37.6 (2.62-539.7), p: 008). The rate of return of spontaneous circulation within working hours was higher than that of non-working hours (71% vs.19%) (p<0.001). Patients who received chest compression for more than 10 minutes had the lowest survival rate (2%) (p<0.001), whereas better outcome was associated with in-hospital CA, younger age (less than 12 months) and respiratory failure.

Conclusion:

Survival rates from pediatric CAs were significantly lower during non-working hours. Poor outcome was associated with prolonged cardiopulmonary resuscitation, out of hospital CA and older age.

Effectiveness of a High-Fidelity Simulation-Based Training Program in Managing Cardiac Arrhythmias in Children: A Randomized Pilot Study

OBJECTIVES

Pediatric cardiac arrest is a rare event. Its management requires technical (TSs) and nontechnical skills (NTSs). We assessed the effectiveness of a simulation-based training to improve these skills in managing life-threatening pediatric cardiac arrhythmias.

METHODS

Four teams, each composed of 1 pediatric resident, 1 emergency medicine resident, and 2 pediatric nurses, were randomly assigned to the experimental group (EG) participating in 5 video-recorded simulation sessions with debriefing or to the control group (CG) assessed 2 times with video-recorded simulation sessions without debriefing at a 2-week interval. Questionnaires assessed self-reported changes in self-efficacy, stress, and satisfaction about skills. Blinded evaluators assessed changes in leaders' TSs and NTSs during the simulations and the time to initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

RESULTS

After training, stress decreased and satisfaction about skills increased in the EG, whereas it remained the same in the CG (P = 0.014 and P < 0.001, respectively). There was no significant change in self-efficacy. Analyses of video-recorded skills showed significant improvements in TSs and NTSs of the EG leaders after training, but not of the CG leaders (P = 0.026, P = 0.038, respectively). The comparison of the evolution of the 2 groups concerning time to initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation was not significantly different between the first and last simulation sessions.

CONCLUSIONS

A simulation-based training with debriefing had positive effects on stress and satisfaction about skills of pediatric residents and nurses and on observed TSs and NTSs of the leaders during simulation sessions. A future study should assess the effectiveness of this training in a larger sample and its impact on skills during actual emergencies.

The prognostic value of quantitative diffusion-weighted MRI after pediatric cardiopulmonary arrest

OBJECTIVES

The prognostic value of quantitative diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI MRI) in predicting neurologic outcomes after pediatric cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) has not been determined. The aim of this study was to identify a DWI MRI threshold for brain volume percent that correlates with neurologic outcome in children who remain comatose or display significant neurologic deficits immediately after resuscitation from CPA.

METHODS

This single-center retrospective study analyzed DWI MRIs of pediatric patients who remained neurologically impaired after CPA. Any MRI obtained within 2 weeks after CPA was analyzed. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value of each voxel within the brain was determined. Percentage brain volume with voxels below each ADC threshold between 300 and 1200 × 10^-6 mm²/s with a step of 50 were calculated. Area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) was used to identify optimal DWI MRI thresholds for brain volume percent most predictive of poor neurologic outcome. The primary outcome measure was neurologic outcome 6-months after CPA based on Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category (PCPC) score. Poor neurologic outcome was defined as PCPC score of 3-6, or a worsening from baseline score ≥1 if baseline PCPC score was ≥3.

RESULTS

Twenty-six patients were included in this study. The median age was 8.5 years (2.2-14) and median time from CPA to MRI was 4 days (2-7). Two ADC thresholds for brain volume percent had the largest AUC for predicting poor neurologic outcome. An ADC threshold of <600 × 10^-6 mm²/s in ≥7% of brain volume; and <650 × 10^-6 mm²/s in ≥11% of brain volume both demonstrated a specificity of 1.0 (0.76-1.0, 95% CI) and a sensitivity of 0.8 (0.44-0.96, 95% CI) for poor outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

In pediatric patients who remain comatose or have significant neurologic deficits after CPA, quantitative DWI MRI correlates with neurologic outcome. Both an ADC threshold of <600 × 10^-6 mm²/s in ≥7% of brain volume and <650 × 10^-6 mm²/s in ≥11% of brain volume are highly specific for predicting poor neurologic outcome. A prospective trial to validate these thresholds is needed.

A comparison between raw and predicted mortality in a paediatric intensive care unit in South Africa

Objective

Paediatric intensive care resources are limited in sub-Saharan Africa. The mortality rate in a combined Paediatric/Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Johannesburg, South Africa was almost double that in a dedicated paediatric intensive care unit in the same country. This study aimed to compare the raw mortality rate with that predicted with the Paediatric Index of Mortality (version 3), by doing a retrospective analysis of an existing database.

Results

A total of 530 patients admitted to the intensive care unit between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2017 were included. The raw mortality rate was 27.1% and the predicted mortality rate was 27.0% (p = 0.971). Cardiac arrest during ICU admission (p < 0.001), non-reactive pupils (0.035), inotropic support (p < 0.001) and renal disease (p = 0.002) were all associated with an increased risk of mortality. These findings indicate that the high mortality rate is due to the severity of illness in the patients that are admitted. It also indicates that the quality of care delivered is acceptable.

The Development and Validation of a Concise Instrument for Formative Assessment of Team Leader Performance During Simulated Pediatric Resuscitations

AIM

The aim of this study was to assess the validity of a formative feedback instrument for leaders of simulated resuscitations.

METHODS

This is a prospective validation study with a fully crossed (person × scenario × rater) study design. The Concise Assessment of Leader Management (CALM) instrument was designed by pediatric emergency medicine and graduate medical education experts to be used off the shelf to evaluate and provide formative feedback to resuscitation leaders. Four experts reviewed 16 videos of in situ simulated pediatric resuscitations and scored resuscitation leader performance using the CALM instrument. The videos consisted of 4 pediatric emergency department resuscitation teams each performing in 4 pediatric resuscitation scenarios (cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, seizure, and sepsis). We report on content and internal structure (reliability) validity of the CALM instrument.

RESULTS

Content validity was supported by the instrument development process that involved professional experience, expert consensus, focused literature review, and pilot testing. Internal structure validity (reliability) was supported by the generalizability analysis. The main component that contributed to score variability was the person (33%), meaning that individual leaders performed differently. The rater component had almost zero (0%) contribution to variance, which implies that raters were in agreement and argues for high interrater reliability.

CONCLUSIONS

These results provide initial evidence to support the validity of the CALM instrument as a reliable assessment instrument that can facilitate formative feedback to leaders of pediatric simulated resuscitations.

Early On-Scene Management of Pediatric Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Can Result in Improved Likelihood for Neurologically-Intact Survival

AIM

To evaluate the frequency of neurologically-intact survival (SURV) following pediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (POHCA) when comparing traditional early evacuation strategies to those emphasizing resuscitation efforts being performed immediately on-scene.

METHODS

Before 2014, emergency medical services (EMS) crews in a county-wide EMS agency provided limited treatment for POHCA on-scene and rapidly transported patients to appropriate hospitals. After 2014, training strongly concentrated upon EMS provider comfort levels with on-scene resuscitation efforts including methods to expedite protocols on-site and control positive-pressure ventilation. Frequency of SURV (hospital discharge) was compared for the two years prior to initiating the immediate on-scene care strategy to the ensuing two years following implementation.

RESULTS

Between 01/01/2012 and 12/31/2015, 94 children experienced POHCA. There were no significant differences before and after the on-scene focus in terms of age, sex, etiology, presenting electrocardiograph, drug infusions or bystander-performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation and total scene times actually remained similar (14.3 vs. 17.67 minutes). SURV increased significantly upon implementation of the immediate on-scene management strategy and was sustained over the next two years (0.0% to 23%; p = 0.0013). Though statistically-indeterminate in this analysis, the improvement was associated with a shorter mean time to epinephrine administration among resuscitated patients (16.6 vs. 7.65 minutes).

CONCLUSION

Facilitating immediate on-scene management of POHCA can result in improvements in life-saving. Although a historically-controlled evaluation, the compelling appearance of neurologically-intact survivors was immediate and sustained. Targeted training, more efficient, physiologically-driven procedures, and trusted encouragement from supervisors, likely played the most significant roles and not necessarily extended scene times.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Infants and Children With Cardiac Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

Cardiac arrest occurs at a higher rate in children with heart disease than in healthy children. Pediatric basic life support and advanced life support guidelines focus on delivering high-quality resuscitation in children with normal hearts. The complexity and variability in pediatric heart disease pose unique challenges during resuscitation. A writing group appointed by the American Heart Association reviewed the literature addressing resuscitation in children with heart disease. MEDLINE and Google Scholar databases were searched from 1966 to 2015, cross-referencing pediatric heart disease with pertinent resuscitation search terms. The American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association classification of recommendations and levels of evidence for practice guidelines were used. The recommendations in this statement concur with the critical components of the 2015 American Heart Association pediatric basic life support and pediatric advanced life support guidelines and are meant to serve as a resuscitation supplement. This statement is meant for caregivers of children with heart disease in the prehospital and in-hospital settings. Understanding the anatomy and physiology of the high-risk pediatric cardiac population will promote early recognition and treatment of decompensation to prevent cardiac arrest, increase survival from cardiac arrest by providing high-quality resuscitations, and improve outcomes with postresuscitation care.

Outcomes After Pediatric Out-of-Hospital Cardiopulmonary Interventions

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to evaluate outcomes after pediatric out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary interventions (CPIs) by emergency medical services (EMS).

METHODS

Children (age, ≤18 years) who received CPI by EMS from 2001 to 2008 were identified from the Utah Department of Health. Cardiopulmonary intervention was defined as oxygenation, ventilation or CPR, and transport to a hospital by EMS. Univariate and multivariable regression analyses evaluated associations between potential predictors and outcomes (death and new neurologic dysfunction).

RESULTS

A total of 464 patients (58% male) received EMS attention. For the 71% patients (327) who were alive on EMS arrival, 63% (205) received CPI without CPR. Of note, 6% (12) of these patients died after arrival to the hospital and new neurologic dysfunction was diagnosed in 6% (13). Among the 12 patients who died, 50% (6) were younger than 1 year.On multivariable regression analysis, factors associated with increased risk of death before and in-hospital are the following: age younger than 1 year (odds ratio [OR], 0.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.17-0.39), shorter EMS transport time (OR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.89-0.99), and longer EMS dispatch time (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.08-1.40). Factors associated with increased risk of new neurologic dysfunction are the following: lack of pulse (OR, 0.14; 95% CI, 0.04-0.53), requiring CPR (OR, 6.15; 95% CI, 1.48-25.6), and CPR duration (OR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.05-1.37).

CONCLUSIONS

Age younger than 1 year, shorter transport time, and longer dispatch time were associated with increased risk of death. Being pulseless upon discovery and receiving CPR were associated with new neurologic dysfunction. Maximizing EMS transport interventions for patients younger than 1 year requiring CPI may improve patient outcomes.

[Ventilation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the infant. Mouth to mouth and nose, or bag-valve-mask? A quasi-experimental study]

INTRODUCTION

It has been observed that health professionals have difficulty performing quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The aim of this study was to compare the quality of ventilations performed by Nursing students on an infant model using different methods (mouth-to-mouth-and-nose or bag-valve-mask).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A quasi-experimental cross-sectional study was performed that included 46 second-year Nursing students. Two quantitative 4-minute tests of paediatric CPR were performed: a) mouth-to-mouth-and-nose ventilations, and b) ventilations with bag-valve-mask. A Resusci Baby QCPR Wireless SkillReporter® mannequin from Laerdal was used. The proportion of ventilations with adequate, excessive, and insufficient volume was recorded and analysed, as well as the overall quality of the CPR (ventilations and chest compressions).

RESULTS

The students were able to give a higher number of ventilations with adequate volume using the mouth-to-mouth-and-nose method (55±22%) than with the bag-valve-mask (28±16%, P<.001). The overall quality of the CPR was also significantly higher when using the mouth-to-mouth-and-nose method (60±19 vs. 48±16%, P<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Mouth-to-mouth-and-nose ventilation method is more efficient than bag-valve-mask ventilations in CPR performed by nursing students with a simulated infant model.

Functional progression of patients with neurological diseases in a tertiary paediatric intensive care unit: Our experience

INTRODUCTION

Neurological diseases explain a considerable proportion of admissions to paediatric intensive care units (PICU), and are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. This study aims to analyse the functional progression of children with critical neurological conditions.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Retrospective descriptive study of children admitted to PICU with neurological diseases over a period of 3 years (2012-2014), assessing vital and functional prognosis at PICU discharge and at one year according to the Pediatric Cerebral and Overall Performance Category scales (PCPC-POPC) and the Functional Status Scale (FSS). The results are compared with our previous data (1990-1999), and those of the international multicentre PANGEA study.

RESULTS

A total of 266 children were studied. The mortality rate was 3%; the PRISM-III and PIM2 models did not show predictive ability. Clinically significant worsening was observed in functional health at discharge in 30% of the sample, according to POPC, 15% according to PCPC, and 5% according to FSS. After one year, functional performance improved according to PCPC-POPC, but not according to FSS. Children with no underlying neurological disease had a higher degree of functional impairment; this was prolonged over time. We observed a decrease in overall and neurocritical mortality compared with our previous data (5.60 vs. 2.1%, P=.0003, and 8.44 vs. 2.63%, P=.0014, respectively). Compared with the PANGEA study, both mortality and cerebral functional impairment in neurocritical children were lower in our study (1.05 vs. 13.32%, P<.0001, and 10.47% vs. 23.79%, P<.0001, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Nearly one-third of critically ill children have neurological diseases. A significant percentage, mainly children without underlying neurological diseases, had a clinically significant functional impact at PICU discharge and after a year. Neuromonitoring and neuroprotection measures and the evaluation of functional progression are necessary to improve critical child care.

An Ethical Justification for Termination of Resuscitation Protocols for Pediatric Patients

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this article was to compare specific characteristics and outcomes among adult and pediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients to show that the existing literature warrants the design and implementation of pediatric studies that would specifically evaluate termination of resuscitation protocols. We also address the emotional and practical concerns associated with ceasing resuscitation efforts on scene when treating pediatric patients.

METHODS

Relevant prospective and retrospective studies were used to compare characteristics and outcomes between adult and pediatric OHCA patients. Characteristics analyzed were nonwitnessed arrests, absence of shockable rhythm, no return of spontaneous circulation, and survival to hospital discharge.

RESULTS

Cases of unwitnessed arrests by emergency medical services providers are substantially the same in pediatric patients (41.0%-96.3%) compared with their adult counterparts (47.4%-97.7%). The adult studies revealed 57.6% to 92.2% of patients without an initial shockable rhythm. The pediatric studies showed a range of 64.0% to 98.0%. The range of adult patients without return of spontaneous circulation was 54.8% to 95.4%, and the range in pediatric patients was 68.2% to 95.6%. Survival rates among the adult studies ranged from 0.8% to 9.3% (mean, 5.0%; median, 5.2%), and in the pediatric studies they were 2.0% to 26.2% (mean, 9.2%; median, 7.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

The data compared demonstrate that characteristics and outcomes are virtually identical between adult and pediatric OHCA patients. We also found the 3 chief barriers hindering further research to be invalid impediments to moving forward. This review warrants designing pediatric studies that would specifically correlate termination of resuscitation protocols with patient survival and include predictive values.

Investigation of the pathophysiology of cardiopulmonary bypass using rodent extracorporeal life support model

Background

Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) systems are life-saving devices used for treating patients with severe cardiopulmonary failure. In this study, we implemented a rat model of ECLS without the administration of inotropes or vasopressors.

Methods

The rats underwent 5 min of untreated asphyxial cardiac arrest and were resuscitated by ECLS for 30 min. The right external jugular vein and right femoral artery were separately cannulated to the ECLS outflow and inflow, respectively. Thereafter, ECLS was terminated, wounds were closed, and mechanical ventilation was provided for another 90 min. Subsequently, blood gas and hemodynamic analyses were performed. The plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were measured 120 min after reperfusion.

Results

The metabolic rate of lactate in the group of asphyxial cardiac arrest rescued by ECLS was slow; therefore, the pH at 120 min after reperfusion was significantly lower in this group than that in the group of normal rats treated with ECLS. The hemodynamic data showed no between-group differences. The plasma levels of CRP, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α increased after ECLS treatment.

Conclusions

We successfully established a rodent ECLS model, which might be a useful approach for studying the pathophysiology induced by ECLS under clinical conditions.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12872-017-0558-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for pediatric cardiac arrest

Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) remains a promising treatment for pediatric patients in cardiac arrest unresponsive to traditional cardiopulmonary resuscitation. With venoarterial extracorporeal support, blood is drained from the right atrium, oxygenated through the extracorporeal circuit, and transfused back to the body, bypassing the heart and lungs. The use of artificial oxygenation and perfusion thus provides the body a period of hemodynamic stability, while allowing resolution of underlying disease processes. Survival rates for ECPR patients are higher than those for traditional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), although neurological outcomes require further investigation. The impact of duration of CPR and length of treatment with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation vary in published reports. Furthermore, current guidelines for the initiation and use of ECPR are limited and may lead to confusion about appropriate use of this support. Many ethical concerns arise with this advanced form of life support. More often than not, the dilemma is not whether to withhold ECPR, but rather when to withdraw it. Although clinicians must decide if ECPR is appropriate and when further intervention is futile, the ultimate burden of choice is left to the patient's caregivers. Offering support and guidance to the patient's family as well as the patient is essential.

Subsequent Shockable Rhythm During Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest in Children With Initial Non-Shockable Rhythms: A Nationwide Population-Based Observational Study

BACKGROUND

The effect of a subsequent treated shockable rhythm during cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the outcome of children who suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrest with initial nonshockable rhythm is unclear. We hypothesized that subsequent treated shockable rhythm in children with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest would improve survival with favorable neurological outcomes (Cerebral Performance Category scale 1-2).

METHODS AND RESULTS

From the All-Japan Utstein Registry, we analyzed the records of 12 402 children (aged <18 years) with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and initial nonshockable rhythms. Patients were divided into 2 cohorts: subsequent treated shockable rhythm (YES; n=239) and subsequent treated shockable rhythm (NO; n=12 163). The rate of 1-month cerebral performance category 1 to 2 in the subsequent treated shockable rhythm (YES) cohort was significantly higher when compared to the subsequent treated shockable rhythm (NO) cohort (4.6% [11 of 239] vs 1.3% [155 of 12 163]; adjusted odds ratio, 2.90; 95% CI, 1.42-5.36; all P<0.001). In the subsequent treated shockable rhythm (YES) cohort, the rate of 1-month cerebral performance category 1 to 2 decreased significantly as time to shock delivery increased (17.7% [3 of 17] for patients with shock-delivery time 0-9 minutes, 7.3% [8 of 109] for 10-19 minutes, and 0% [0 of 109] for 20-59 minutes; P<0.001 [for trend]). Age-stratified outcomes showed no significant differences between the 2 cohorts in the group aged <7 years old: 1.3% versus 1.4%, P=0.62.

CONCLUSIONS

In children with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and initial nonshockable rhythms, subsequent treated shockable rhythm was associated with improved 1-month survival with favorable neurological outcomes. In the cohort of older children (7-17 years), these outcomes worsened as time to shock delivery increased.

Family Burden After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest in Children

OBJECTIVES

To describe family burden among caregivers of children who survived out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and who were at high risk for neurologic disability and examine relationships between family burden, child functioning, and other factors during the first year post arrest.

DESIGN

Secondary analysis of data from the Therapeutic Hypothermia after Pediatric Cardiac Arrest Out-of-Hospital trial.

SETTING

Thirty-six PICUs in the United States and Canada.

PATIENTS

Seventy-seven children recruited to the Therapeutic Hypothermia after Pediatric Cardiac Arrest Out-of-Hospital trial who had normal prearrest neurologic functioning and were alive 1 year post arrest.

INTERVENTIONS

Family burden was assessed using the Infant Toddler Quality of Life Questionnaire for children less than 5 years old and the Child Health Questionnaire for children 5 years old or older at baseline (reflecting prearrest status), 3 months, and 12 months post arrest. Child functioning was assessed using the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale II, the Pediatric Overall Performance Category, and Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category scales and caregiver perception of global functioning.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Fifty-six children (72.7%) were boys, 48 (62.3%) were whites, and 50 (64.9%) were less than 5 years old prior to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Family burden at baseline was not significantly different from reference values. Family burden was increased at 3 and 12 months post arrest compared with reference values (p < 0.001). Worse Pediatric Overall Performance Category and Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category, lower adaptive behavior, lower global functioning, and higher family burden all measured 3 months post arrest were associated with higher family burden 12 months post arrest (p < 0.05). Sociodemographics and prearrest child functioning were not associated with family burden 12 months post arrest.

CONCLUSIONS

Families of children who survive out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and have high risk for neurologic disability often experience substantial burden during the first year post arrest. The extent of child dysfunction 3 months post arrest is associated with family burden at 12 months.

Validation of a Pediatric Early Warning Score in Hospitalized Pediatric Oncology and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Patients

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the correlation of a Pediatric Early Warning Score with unplanned transfer to the PICU in hospitalized oncology and hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients.

DESIGN

We performed a retrospective matched case-control study, comparing the highest documented Pediatric Early Warning Score within 24 hours prior to unplanned PICU transfers in hospitalized pediatric oncology and hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients between September 2011 and December 2013. Controls were patients who remained on the inpatient unit and were matched 2:1 using age, condition (oncology vs hematopoietic stem cell transplant), and length of hospital stay. Pediatric Early Warning Scores were documented by nursing staff at least every 4 hours as part of routine care. Need for transfer was determined by a PICU physician called to evaluate the patient.

SETTING

A large tertiary/quaternary free-standing academic children's hospital.

PATIENTS

One hundred ten hospitalized pediatric oncology patients (42 oncology, 68 hematopoietic stem cell transplant) requiring unplanned PICU transfer and 220 matched controls.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Using the highest score in the 24 hours prior to transfer for cases and a matched time period for controls, the Pediatric Early Warning Score was highly correlated with the need for PICU transfer overall (area under the receiver operating characteristic = 0.96), and in the oncology and hematopoietic stem cell transplant groups individually (area under the receiver operating characteristic = 0.95 and 0.96, respectively). The difference in Pediatric Early Warning Score results between the cases and controls was noted as early as 24 hours prior to PICU admission. Seventeen patients died (15.4%). Patients with higher Pediatric Early Warning Scores prior to transfer had increased PICU mortality (p = 0.028) and length of stay (p = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrate that our institution's Pediatric Early Warning Score is highly correlated with the need for unplanned PICU transfer in hospitalized oncology and hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients. Furthermore, we found an association between higher scores and PICU mortality. This is the first validation of a Pediatric Early Warning Score specific to the pediatric oncology and hematopoietic stem cell transplant populations, and supports the use of Pediatric Early Warning Scores as a method of early identification of clinical deterioration in this high-risk population.

Impact of System Factors and Modifiable ICU Interventions on the Outcome of Cardio-pulmonary Resuscitation in PICU

OBJECTIVE

To assess the impact of system factors and modifiable interventions on outcome of cardiac arrest in a pediatric intensive care unit.

DESIGN

Retrospective medical record review.

SETTING

Pediatric intensive care unit of a hospital in China.

PARTICIPANTS

Children (age<14 yrs) who had cardiac arrest within our PICU over a period of two years.

RESULTS

Sixty-one of the 94 cardiac arrest events were successfully resuscitated. There was no significant association between personal and unit factors with immediate outcomes in our unit. The rate of unsuccessful resuscitation in sedated patients and those without sedation was 26% and 50%, respectively. Unsuccessful resuscitation occurred in 19% of patients who were on positive pressure ventilation as compared with 74% for those without positive pressure ventilation. Arrests which had resuscitation attempts that lasted more than 30 min had 135-fold higher odds of unsuccessful outcome. 78% of patients who received base supplement at the time of arrest had unsuccessful resuscitation compared with 21% for those without base supplement.

CONCLUSION

Our data shows no impact of system factors on the outcome of cardio-pulmonary resuscitation in our PICU. Pre-arrest sedation in pediatric critical ill patients might be beneficial to the outcome of cardiac arrests.

Impact of Different Initial Epinephrine Treatment Time Points on the Early Postresuscitative Hemodynamic Status of Children With Traumatic Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest

The postresuscitative hemodynamic status of children with traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) might be impacted by the early administration of epinephrine, but this topic has not been well addressed. The aim of this study was to analyze the early postresuscitative hemodynamics, survival, and neurologic outcome according to different time points of first epinephrine treatment among children with traumatic OHCA.Information on 388 children who presented to the emergency departments of 3 medical centers and who were treated with epinephrine for traumatic OHCA during the study period (2003-2012) was retrospectively collected. The early postresuscitative hemodynamic features (cardiac functions, end-organ perfusion, and consciousness), survival, and neurologic outcome according to different time points of first epinephrine treatment (early: <15, intermediate: 15-30, and late: >30 minutes after collapse) were analyzed.Among 165 children who achieved sustained return of spontaneous circulation, 38 children (9.8%) survived to discharge and 12 children (3.1%) had good neurologic outcomes. Early epinephrine increased the postresuscitative heart rate and blood pressure in the first 30 minutes, but ultimately impaired end-organ perfusion (decreased urine output and initial creatinine clearance) (all P < 0.05). Early epinephrine treatment increased the chance of achieving sustained return of spontaneous circulation, but did not increase the rates of survival and good neurologic outcome.Early epinephrine temporarily increased heart rate and blood pressure in the first 30 minutes of the postresuscitative period, but impaired end-organ perfusion. Most importantly, the rates of survival and good neurologic outcome were not significantly increased by early epinephrine administration.

Cardiac arrest in infants, children, and adolescents: long-term emotional and behavioral functioning

Very little is known about the psychological consequences of a cardiac arrest (CA) during childhood. Our aim was to assess long-term emotional and behavioral functioning, and its predictors, in survivors of CA in childhood. This long-term follow-up study involved all consecutive infants, children, and adolescents surviving CA in a tertiary-care university children's hospital between January 2002 and December 2011. Emotional and behavioral functioning was assessed with the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), Teacher's Report Form (TRF), and Youth Self-Report (YSR). Of the eligible 107 CA survivors, 52 patients, parents, and/or teachers filled out online questionnaires. Compared with normative data, parents and teachers reported significantly more attention and somatic problems (age range 6-18 years). Parents also reported more attention problems for age range 1.5-5 years. Twenty-eight percent of the children (n = 14) scored in the psychopathological range (i.e., for age range 1.5-18 years; p < 0.001) according to parent reports. Male gender, older age, and basic life support were significantly related to worse scores on the scales internalizing problems, externalizing problems, and total problems and subscale attention problems.

CONCLUSION

Long-term deficits in attention and somatic complaints were reported. Attention problems after childhood CA can interfere with school performance. Long-term follow-up with neuropsychological assessment should be organized.

WHAT IS KNOWN

• Critical illness has a significant influence on the presence of long-term emotional and behavioral problems. • Long-term emotional and behavioral problems have been described for various groups of critically ill children such as congenital heart disease, meningococcal septic shock, and neonatal asphyxia. What is new: • This is the first study that addresses long-term emotional and behavioral problems in a relatively large consecutive series of children and adolescents surviving cardiac arrest. • Long-term deficits in attention and somatic complaints were reported.

Using Time Series Analysis to Predict Cardiac Arrest in a PICU

OBJECTIVES

To build and test cardiac arrest prediction models in a PICU, using time series analysis as input, and to measure changes in prediction accuracy attributable to different classes of time series data.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Thirty-one bed academic PICU that provides care for medical and general surgical (not congenital heart surgery) patients.

SUBJECTS

Patients experiencing a cardiac arrest in the PICU and requiring external cardiac massage for at least 2 minutes.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

One hundred three cases of cardiac arrest and 109 control cases were used to prepare a baseline dataset that consisted of 1,025 variables in four data classes: multivariate, raw time series, clinical calculations, and time series trend analysis. We trained 20 arrest prediction models using a matrix of five feature sets (combinations of data classes) with four modeling algorithms: linear regression, decision tree, neural network, and support vector machine. The reference model (multivariate data with regression algorithm) had an accuracy of 78% and 87% area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. The best model (multivariate + trend analysis data with support vector machine algorithm) had an accuracy of 94% and 98% area under the receiver operating characteristic curve.

CONCLUSIONS

Cardiac arrest predictions based on a traditional model built with multivariate data and a regression algorithm misclassified cases 3.7 times more frequently than predictions that included time series trend analysis and built with a support vector machine algorithm. Although the final model lacks the specificity necessary for clinical application, we have demonstrated how information from time series data can be used to increase the accuracy of clinical prediction models.

Cardiac Arrest in Children: Long-Term Health Status and Health-Related Quality of Life

OBJECTIVE

To assess long-term health status and health-related quality of life in survivors of cardiac arrest in childhood and their parents. In addition, to identify predictors of health status and health-related quality of life.

DESIGN

This medical follow-up study involved consecutive children surviving cardiac arrest between January 2002 and December 2011, who had been admitted to the ICU. Health status was assessed with a medical interview, physical examination, and the Health Utilities Index. Health-related quality of life was assessed with the Child Health Questionnaires and Short-Form 36.

SETTING

A tertiary care university children's hospital.

PATIENTS

Of the eligible 107 children, 57 (53%) filled out online questionnaires and 47 visited the outpatient clinic (median age, 8.7 yr; median follow-up interval, 5.6 yr).

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Of the participants, 60% had an in-hospital cardiac arrest, 90% a nonshockable rhythm, and 50% a respiratory etiology of arrest. Mortality rate after hospital discharge was 10%. On health status, we found that 13% had long-term neurologic deficits, 34% chronic symptoms (e.g., fatigue, headache), 19% at least one sign suggestive of chronic kidney injury, and 15% needed special education. Health Utilities Index scores were significantly decreased on most utility scores and the overall Health Utilities Index mark 3 score. Compared with Dutch normative data, parent-reported health-related quality of life of cardiac arrest survivors was significantly worse on general health perception, physical role functioning, parental impact, and overall physical summary. On patient reports, no significant differences with normative data were found. Parents reported better family cohesion and better health-related quality of life for themselves on most scales. Patients' health status, general health perceptions, and physical summary scores were significantly associated with cardiac arrest-related preexisting condition.

CONCLUSIONS

Considering the impact of cardiac arrest, the overall outcome after cardiac arrest in childhood is reasonably good. Prospective long-term outcome research in large homogeneous groups is needed.

Evaluating processes of care and outcomes of children in hospital (EPOCH): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background

The prevention of near and actual cardiopulmonary arrest in hospitalized children is a patient safety imperative. Prevention is contingent upon the timely identification, referral and treatment of children who are deteriorating clinically. We designed and validated a documentation-based system of care to permit identification and referral as well as facilitate provision of timely treatment. We called it the Bedside Paediatric Early Warning System (BedsidePEWS). Here we describe the rationale for the design, intervention and outcomes of the study entitled Evaluating Processes and Outcomes of Children in Hospital (EPOCH).

Methods/Design

EPOCH is a cluster-randomized trial of the BedsidePEWS. The unit of randomization is the participating hospital. Eligible hospitals have a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), are anticipated to have organizational stability throughout the study, are not using a severity of illness score in hospital wards and are willing to be randomized. Patients are >37 weeks gestational age and <18 years and are hospitalized in inpatient ward areas during all or part of their hospital admission.

Randomization is to either BedsidePEWS or control (no severity of illness score) in a 1:1 ratio within two strata (<200, ≥200 hospital beds). All-cause hospital mortality is the selected primary outcome. It is objective, independent of do-not-resuscitate status and can be reliably measured. The secondary outcomes include (1) clinical outcomes: clinical deterioration, severity of illness at and during ICU admission, and potentially preventable cardiac arrest; (2) processes of care outcomes: immediate calls for assistance, hospital and ICU readmission, and perceptions of healthcare professionals; and (3) resource utilization: ICU days and use of ICU therapies.

Discussion

Following funding by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and local ethical approvals, site enrollment started in 2010 and was closed in February 2014. Patient enrollment is anticipated to be complete in July 2015. The results of EPOCH will strengthen the scientific basis for local, regional, provincial and national decision-making and for the recommendations of national and international bodies. If negative, the costs of hospital-wide implementation can be avoided. If positive, EPOCH will have provided a scientific justification for the major system-level changes required for implementation.

Trial registration: NCT01260831 ClinicalTrials.gov date: 14 December 2010.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13063-015-0712-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Long-term neuropsychological outcomes in children and adolescents after cardiac arrest

PURPOSE

Research into neuropsychological functioning of survivors of cardiac arrest (CA) in childhood is scarce. We sought to assess long-term neuropsychological functioning in children and adolescents surviving CA.

METHODS

Neuropsychological follow-up study involving all consecutive children surviving CA between January 2002 and December 2011. Intelligence (IQ), language, attention, memory, visual-spatial, and executive functioning were assessed with internationally validated, neuropsychological tests and questionnaires. Scores were compared with Dutch normative data.

RESULTS

Of 107 eligible children, 47 who visited the outpatient clinic (median follow-up interval: 5.6 years) were analyzed. Fifty-five percent had an in-hospital CA, 86% a non-shockable rhythm, and 49% a respiratory-related etiology. CA survivors scored significantly worse on full-scale IQ (mean = 87.3), verbal IQ (mean = 92.7), performance IQ (mean = 85.6), verbal comprehension index (mean = 93.4), perceptual organization index (mean = 83.8), and processing speed index (mean = 91.1), than the norm population (mean IQ = 100). On neuropsychological tests, compared with norms, respectively adjusted for IQ, significantly worse scores were found on visual memory, significantly better on verbal memory (recognition), and comparable outcomes on visual-motor integration, attention, other measures of verbal memory, and executive functioning. On questionnaires, parents reported better executive functioning than the norm, but teachers reported more problems in planning/organizing skills.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term neuropsychological assessment of CA survivors showed significant weaknesses, but also relatively intact functioning. As deficits in IQ, memory and executive functioning have significant impact on the child, long-term follow-up and neuropsychological support of CA survivors is warranted.

Therapeutic hypothermia in children after cardiac arrest: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) has been shown to be effective in resuscitation of some adults following cardiac arrest and infants with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, but has not been well studied in children.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this systematic review/meta-analysis was to examine mortality, neurologic outcomes, and adverse events in children following use of TH.

RESULTS

A search of PubMed, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and the Institute for Scientific Information's Web of Knowledge from 1946 to 2014 yielded 6 studies (3 retrospective and 3 prospective cohort studies) that met our inclusion criteria. Quantitative synthesis of mortality following TH (136 subjects) was 44% (95% confidence interval, 32-57) with 28% (95% confidence interval, 11-53) of survivors (42 subjects) demonstrating poor neurologic outcome. The most frequently reported adverse events were electrolyte imbalances and pneumonia.

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence is insufficient to support the advantage of TH compared with normothermia in pediatric resuscitation. The adverse event profile appears to be different than that reported in adults. Further studies are needed before TH may be considered a standard protocol for children after cardiac arrest.

High cumulative oxygen levels are associated with improved survival of children treated with mild therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest

AIM

The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between the partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2) and in-hospital (IH) mortality in children after cardiac arrest (CA) using the conventional cutoff analysis, which was compared with the cumulative analysis, a new method in PaO2 analysis. Additionally, we analyzed this relationship for children with and without mild therapeutic hypothermia (MTH; 32-34 °C).

METHODS

This observational cohort study included all children (aged >28 days) with CA and return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) between 2002 and 2011. The first research question was the association between PaO2 and IH mortality after ROSC. This was analyzed for three hyperoxia cutoff values, and for three time intervals using the cumulative PaO2 determined with the area under the curve (AUC). For the second research question, these analyses were repeated for children with and without MTH.

RESULTS

Of the 200 patients included (median age 2.6 years), 84 (42%) survived to hospital discharge. Fifty-eight children (29%) were treated with MTH. With the cutoff analysis and the AUC analysis we found no relationship between PaO2 and IH mortality. However, analysis of the MTH-group showed a lower IH mortality in children with high cumulative PaO2 levels on two of the three time intervals. Multivariable analysis showed significantly higher odds of survival (0.643 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.424-0.976), 0.554 (95% CI 0.335-0.916)).

CONCLUSIONS

Cumulative PaO2 analysis showed that the IH mortality is significantly lower in MTH-treated children with high PaO2 levels. The effects of cumulative PaO2 on the outcome need to be studied further, and this will help us to achieve individualized goal-directed therapy.

Death of a child in the emergency department

The death of a child in the emergency department (ED) is one of the most challenging problems facing ED clinicians. This revised technical report and accompanying policy statement reaffirm principles of patient- and family-centered care. Recent literature is examined regarding family presence, termination of resuscitation, bereavement responsibilities of ED clinicians, support of child fatality review efforts, and other issues inherent in caring for the patient, family, and staff when a child dies in the ED. Appendices are provided that offer an approach to bereavement activities in the ED, carrying out forensic responsibilities while providing compassionate care, communicating the news of the death of a child in the acute setting, providing a closing ritual at the time of terminating resuscitation efforts, and managing the child with a terminal condition who presents near death in the ED.

Decision tree model for predicting long-term outcomes in children with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a nationwide, population-based observational study

Introduction

At hospital arrival, early prognostication for children after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) might help clinicians formulate strategies, particularly in the emergency department. In this study, we aimed to develop a simple and generally applicable bedside tool for predicting outcomes in children after cardiac arrest.

Methods

We analyzed data of 5,379 children who had undergone OHCA. The data were extracted from a prospectively recorded, nationwide, Utstein-style Japanese database. The primary endpoint was survival with favorable neurological outcome (Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) scale categories 1 and 2) at 1 month after OHCA. We developed a decision tree prediction model by using data from a 2-year period (2008 to 2009, n = 3,693), and the data were validated using external data from 2010 (n = 1,686).

Results

Recursive partitioning analysis for 11 predictors in the development cohort indicated that the best single predictor for CPC 1 and 2 at 1 month was the prehospital return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). The next predictor for children with prehospital ROSC was an initial shockable rhythm. For children without prehospital ROSC, the next best predictor was a witnessed arrest. Use of a simple decision tree prediction model permitted stratification into four outcome prediction groups: good (prehospital ROSC and initial shockable rhythm), moderately good (prehospital ROSC and initial nonshockable rhythm), poor (prehospital non-ROSC and witnessed arrest) and very poor (prehospital non-ROSC and unwitnessed arrest). By using this model, we identified patient groups ranging from 0.2% to 66.2% for 1-month CPC 1 and 2 probabilities. The validated decision tree prediction model demonstrated a sensitivity of 69.7% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 58.7% to 78.9%), a specificity of 95.2% (95% CI = 94.1% to 96.2%) and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.88 (95% CI = 0.87 to 0.90) for predicting 1-month CPC 1 and 2.

Conclusions

With our decision tree prediction model using three prehospital variables (prehospital ROSC, initial shockable rhythm and witnessed arrest), children can be readily stratified into four groups after OHCA. This simple prediction model for evaluating children after OHCA may provide clinicians with a practical bedside tool for counseling families and making management decisions soon after patient arrival at the hospital.

EEG patterns in acute pediatric encephalopathies

EEG patterns in pediatric encephalopathy are largely nonspecific and may be seen in a wide variety of pathologies. However, EEG can play a valuable role in helping to assess the severity and ultimate prognosis in pediatric encephalopathies. This review article considers three of the most common forms of pediatric encephalopathy encountered in pediatric critically care units, including hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, central nervous system infections, and metabolic encephalopathies. Because EEG is being used with increasing frequency in critically ill children, the value of EEG monitoring in encephalopathic patients continues to evolve.

Demographics, bystander CPR, and AED use in out-of-hospital pediatric arrests

BACKGROUND

In 2005 the American Heart Association released guidelines calling for routine use of automated external defibrillators during pediatric out-of-hospital arrest. The goal of this study was to determine if these guidelines are used during resuscitations.

METHODS

We conducted a secondary analysis of prospectively collected data from 29 U.S. cities that participate in the Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival (CARES). Patients were included if they were older than 1 year of age and had a documented resuscitation attempt from October 1, 2005 through December 31, 2009 from an arrest presumed to be cardiac in nature. Hierarchical multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the associations between age, demographic factors, and AED use.

RESULTS

129 patients were 1-8 years of age (younger children), 88 patients were 9-17 years of age (older children), and 19,338 patients were ≥18 years of age (adults). When compared to adults, younger children were less likely to be found in a shockable rhythm (young children 11.6%, adults 23.7%) and were less likely to have an AED used (young children 16.3%, adults 28.3%). Older children had a similar prevalence of shockable rhythms as adults (31.8%) and AED use (20.5%). A multivariable analysis demonstrated that, when compared to adults, younger children had decreased odds of having an AED used (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.26-0.69), but there was no difference in AED use among older children and adults.

CONCLUSIONS

Young children suffering from presumed out-of-hospital cardiac arrests are less likely to have a shockable rhythm when compared to adults, and are less likely to have an AED used during resuscitation.

Factors associated with the clinical outcomes of paediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Japan

OBJECTIVES

To better understand and predict clinical outcomes of paediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).

DESIGN

A population-based, observational study.

SETTING

The National Japan Utstein Registry.

PARTICIPANTS

2900 children aged 5-17 years who experienced OHCA and received resuscitation by emergency responders. Signal detection analysis using 17 variables was applied to identify factors associated with OHCA outcomes; the primary endpoint was cerebral performance category (CPC) 1 or 2. A validation study was conducted to verify the model.

RESULTS

OHCA was identified as cardiac origin in 706 participants and non-cardiac origin in 2194 participants. Rates of CPC 1 or 2 for cardiac and non-cardiac causes were 20% and 6.4%, respectively. Cardiac origin arrest was categorised following signal detection into six subgroups defined by public automated external defibrillator use, defibrillation by emergency medical service, age, initial ECG rhythm and eye-witness to arrest; the ranges of CPC 1 or 2 in the six subgroups were between 87.5% and 0.7%. Non-cardiac origin arrest was categorised into four subgroups. Bystander rescue breathing was the most significant factor contributing to outcome; additionally, two other factors-eye-witness to arrest and age-were also significant. CPC 1 or 2 rates ranged between 38.5% and 4% across the four subgroups. Rates of CPC 1 or 2 in the validation study did not differ among any subgroup.

CONCLUSIONS

For children who have OHCA from non-cardiac origin, bystander rescue breathing is mandatory to achieve CPC 1 or 2.