Multi-Disciplinary Management and Surgical Resection of Intracardiac Fibromas Causing Bilateral Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstructions in an Infant

Cardiac tumors remain rare in children with benign pathologies predominating. Indications for surgical management often result from compromised ventricular chamber size, biventricular outflow tract obstruction, impaired ventricular function, or the presence of medically refractory dysrhythmias. We present a case of a six-month-old infant with two intracardiac fibromas originating in the interventricular septum. The fibromas were causing significant biventricular outflow obstruction. The patient successfully underwent tumor resection on cardiopulmonary bypass The literature on pediatric cardiac tumors is reviewed. Multi-disciplinary medical planning is necessary for successful anesthetic and surgical treatment of this high-risk patient population.

Validation of Point-of-Care Ultrasound to Measure Perioperative Edema in Infants With Congenital Heart Disease

Purpose: Fluid overload is a common post-operative issue in children following cardiac surgery and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. There is currently no gold standard for evaluating fluid status. We sought to validate the use of point-of-care ultrasound to measure skin edema in infants and assess the intra- and inter-user variability. Methods: Prospective cohort study of neonates (≤30 d/o) and infants (31 d/o to 12 m/o) undergoing cardiac surgery and neonatal controls. Skin ultrasound was performed on four body sites at baseline and daily post-operatively through post-operative day (POD) 3. Subcutaneous tissue depth was manually measured. Intra- and inter-user variability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results: Fifty control and 22 surgical subjects underwent skin ultrasound. There was no difference between baseline surgical and control neonates. Subcutaneous tissue increased in neonates starting POD 1 with minimal improvement by POD 3. In infants, this pattern was less pronounced with near resolution by POD 3. Intra-user variability was excellent (ICC 0.95). Inter-user variability was very good (ICC 0.82). Conclusion: Point-of-care skin ultrasound is a reproducible and reliable method to measure subcutaneous tissue in infants with and without congenital heart disease. Acute increases in subcutaneous tissue suggests development of skin edema, consistent with extravascular fluid overload. There is evidence of skin edema starting POD 1 in all subjects with no substantial improvement by POD 3 in neonates. Point-of-care ultrasound could be an objective way to measure extravascular fluid overload in infants. Further research is needed to determine how extravascular fluid overload correlates to clinical outcomes.

Williams syndrome

Williams syndrome affects approximately one in 10 000 people and is caused by the deletion of genes on chromosome 7q11.23 which code for elastin. The phenotypic appearance of people with Williams syndrome is well characterized, but there continues to be new genetic and therapeutic discoveries. Patients with Williams syndrome have increased morbidity and mortality under sedation and anesthesia, largely as a result of cardiovascular abnormalities. This review article focuses on new information about Williams syndrome and outlines a structured approach to patients with Williams syndrome in the perioperative period.

Noteworthy Literature published in 2017 for Congenital Cardiac Anesthesiologists

This review focuses on the literature published during the 13 months from December 2016 to December 2017 that is of interest to anesthesiologists taking care of children and adults with congenital heart disease. Five themes are addressed during this time period and 100 peer-reviewed articles are discussed.

Outstanding contribution to pediatric anesthesiology: An interview with Dr. Robert H. Friesen

Dr. Robert H. Friesen, (1946-) Professor of Anesthesiology, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, has played a pivotal and pioneering role in the development of pediatric and congenital cardiac anesthesiology. His transformative research included the study of the hemodynamic effects of inhalational and intravenous anesthetic agents in the newborn and the effects of anesthetic agents on pulmonary vascular resistance in patients with pulmonary hypertension. As a model clinician-scientist, educator, and administrator, he changed the practice of pediatric anesthesia and shaped the careers of hundreds of physicians-in-training, imbuing them with his core values of honesty, integrity, and responsibility. Based on a series of interviews with Dr. Friesen, this article reviews a career that advanced pediatric and congenital cardiac anesthesia during the formative years of the specialties.

Micropatterned Endotracheal Tubes Reduce Secretion-Related Lumen Occlusion

Tracheal intubation disrupts physiological homeostasis of secretion production and clearance, resulting in secretion accumulation within endotracheal tubes (ETTs). Novel in vitro and in vivo models were developed to specifically recapitulate the clinical manifestations of ETT occlusion. The novel Sharklet™ micropatterned ETT was evaluated, using these models, for the ability to reduce the accumulation of both bacterial biofilm and airway mucus compared to a standard care ETT. Novel ETTs with micropattern on the inner and outer surfaces were placed adjacent to standard care ETTs in in vitro biofilm and airway patency (AP) models. The primary outcome for the biofilm model was to compare commercially-available ETTs (standard care and silver-coated) to micropatterned for quantity of biofilm accumulation. The AP model's primary outcome was to evaluate accumulation of artificial airway mucus. A 24-h ovine mechanical ventilation model evaluated the primary outcome of relative quantity of airway secretion accumulation in the ETTs tested. The secondary outcome was measuring the effect of secretion accumulation in the ETTs on airway resistance. Micropatterned ETTs significantly reduced biofilm by 71% (p = 0.016) compared to smooth ETTs. Moreover, micropatterned ETTs reduced lumen occlusion, in the AP model, as measured by cross-sectional area, in distal (85%, p = 0.005), middle (84%, p = 0.001) and proximal (81%, p = 0.002) sections compared to standard care ETTs. Micropatterned ETTs reduced the volume of secretion accumulation in a sheep model of occlusion by 61% (p < 0.001) after 24 h of mechanical ventilation. Importantly, micropatterned ETTs reduced the rise in ventilation peak inspiratory pressures over time by as much as 49% (p = 0.005) compared to standard care ETTs. Micropatterned ETTs, demonstrated here to reduce bacterial contamination and mucus occlusion, will have the capacity to limit complications occurring during mechanical ventilation and ultimately improve patient care.

Hemodynamic response to ketamine in children with pulmonary hypertension

BACKGROUND

The safety of ketamine in children with pulmonary hypertension has been debated because of conflicting results of prior studies in which changes in mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) have been widely variable. The goal of this prospective study was to quantitate the effects of ketamine on pulmonary hemodynamics in a cohort of children with pulmonary hypertension under conditions in which variables such as airway/ventilatory management, FiO(2), and use of vasodilating anesthetics were controlled.

METHODS

The IRB approved this study of 34 children undergoing cardiac catheterization for pulmonary hypertension studies. Following anesthetic induction with sevoflurane and tracheal intubation facilitated by the administration of rocuronium 0.7-1 mg·kg(-1) iv, sevoflurane was discontinued and anesthesia was maintained with midazolam 0.1 mg·kg(-1) iv (or 0.5 mg·kg(-1) po preoperatively) and remifentanil iv infusion 0.5-0.7 mcg·kg(-1) ·min(-1). Ventilation was mechanically controlled to maintain PaCO(2) 35-40 mmHg. When endtidal sevoflurane was 0% and FiO(2) was 0.21, baseline heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), mPAP, right atrial pressure (RAP), pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP), right ventricular end-diastolic pressure (RVEDP), cardiac output, and arterial blood gases were measured, and indexed systemic vascular resistance (SVRI), indexed pulmonary vascular resistance (PVRI), and cardiac index (CI) were calculated. Each child then received a bolus of ketamine 2 mg·kg(-1) infused over 2 min. Measurements and calculations were repeated 2 min after the conclusion of the infusion.

RESULTS

The mean (95% CI) increase in mPAP following ketamine was 2 mmHg (0.2, 3.7), which was statistically significant but clinically insignificant. PVRI and PVRI/SVRI did not change significantly. Hemodynamic changes did not differ among subjects with differing severity of pulmonary hypertension or between subjects chronically treated with pulmonary vasodilators or not.

CONCLUSION

Ketamine is associated with minimal, clinically insignificant hemodynamic changes in sedated, mechanically ventilated children with pulmonary hypertension.

The Post-Anesthetic Care of Pediatric Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension

Few conditions make even the most experienced pediatric anesthesiologists take pause. Pulmonary hypertension is one such condition due to the associated high perioperative morbidity and mortality. Much is written about the intraoperative management of pediatric pulmonary hypertension. This article will instead focus on postoperative care and review the evidence in support of a risk stratification approach for the post-anesthetic disposition of these patients. The total risk for post-anesthetic adverse events includes the patient's baseline risk factors and the incremental risks imposed by the procedure and anesthetic. A proposal with recommendations to guide practitioners and a table summarizing relevant factors are provided. Last, the readers' attention is drawn to the heterogeneity of pulmonary hypertensive disease. Pulmonary arterial hypertension (precapillary) differs significantly from pulmonary venous hypertension (postcapillary); the anesthetic management for one may be relatively contraindicated in the other. Their dissimilarities justify the need to distinguish them for study and research endeavors.

Recent Advances in Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Bypass

There have been numerous recent advances geared specifically toward the practice of pediatric cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). These advances include the development of the first oxygenator intended solely for the neonatal CPB patient; pediatric oxygenators with low prime volumes and surface areas, which allow flows up to 2 L/min; pediatric oxygenators with integrated arterial filters; and miniature ultrafiltration (UF) devices, which allow for high rates of ultrafiltrate removal. When used in combination with heart lung machines with mast-mounted pumps, these advances can result in significant decreases in CPB circuit surface areas and prime volumes. This may attenuate CPB-associated hemodilution and decrease or eliminate the need for homologous red blood cells during or after CPB. In addition to these equipment-related advances, changes in myocardial protection strategies and the technique of modified UF as it relates to these advances are discussed.

The Year in Review

Congenital cardiac anesthesiology is a young and rapidly growing subspecialty. It embraces a large spectrum of congenital and acquired heart diseases, which now affect the entire life span of patients from “cradle to grave.” One of the challenges faced by congenital cardiac anesthesiologists is reading the large amount of relevant literature from the fields of cardiology, cardiac surgery, intensive care medicine, and anesthesiology. This review highlights some of the current themes in the literature during the past year.

The anesthetic management of children with pulmonary hypertension in the cardiac catheterization laboratory

Children need cardiac catheterization to establish the diagnosis and monitor the response to treatment when undergoing drug therapy for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Children with PAH receiving general anesthesia for cardiac catheterization procedures are at significantly increased risk of perioperative complications in comparison with other children. The most acute life-threatening complication is a pulmonary hypertensive crisis. It is essential that the anesthesiologist caring for these children understands the pathophysiology of the disease, how anesthetic medications may affect the patient's hemodynamics, and how to manage an acute pulmonary hypertensive crisis.

Successful Surgical Management of Airway Perforation in Preterm Infants

Traumatic airway perforation during endotracheal intubation is an uncommon but life-threatening complication in preterm infants. Death usually occurs at the time of the injury, but in rare cases where the infant survives the initial resuscitation, therapeutic options include conservative versus surgical management. We describe three cases of airway perforation treated successfully with surgical intervention and without lung resection, utilizing novel graft material and cardiopulmonary bypass to facilitate repair. In preterm infants who survive the initial injury we advocate for early identification and surgical management with cardiopulmonary bypass when feasible.

The hemodynamic response to dexmedetomidine loading dose in children with and without pulmonary hypertension

BACKGROUND

Dexmedetomidine, an α-2 receptor agonist, is widely used in children with cardiac disease. Significant hemodynamic responses, including systemic and pulmonary vasoconstriction, have been reported after dexmedetomidine administration. Our primary goal of this prospective, observational study was to quantify the effects of dexmedetomidine initial loading doses on mean pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) in children with and without pulmonary hypertension.

METHODS

Subjects were children undergoing cardiac catheterization for either routine surveillance after cardiac transplantation (n = 21) or pulmonary hypertension studies (n = 21). After anesthetic induction with sevoflurane and tracheal intubation, sevoflurane was discontinued and anesthesia was maintained with midazolam 0.1 mg/kg i.v. (or 0.5 mg/kg orally preoperatively) and remifentanil i.v. infusion 0.5 to 0.8 μg/kg/min. Ventilation was mechanically controlled to maintain PCO2 35 to 40 mm Hg. When end-tidal sevoflurane was 0% and fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO2) was 0.21, baseline heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure, PAP, right atrial pressure, pulmonary artery occlusion pressure, right ventricular end-diastolic pressure, cardiac output, and arterial blood gases were measured, and indexed systemic vascular resistance, indexed pulmonary vascular resistance, and cardiac index were calculated. Each subject then received a 10-minute infusion of dexmedetomidine of 1 μg/kg, 0.75 μg/kg, or 0.5 μg/kg. Measurements and calculations were repeated at the conclusion of the infusion.

RESULTS

Most hemodynamic responses were similar in children with and without pulmonary hypertension. Heart rate decreased significantly, and mean arterial blood pressure and indexed systemic vascular resistance increased significantly. Cardiac index did not change. A small, statistically significant increase in PAP was observed in transplant patients but not in subjects with pulmonary hypertension. Changes in indexed pulmonary vascular resistance were not significant.

CONCLUSION

Dexmedetomidine initial loading doses were associated with significant systemic vasoconstriction and hypertension, but a similar response was not observed in the pulmonary vasculature, even in children with pulmonary hypertension. Dexmedetomidine does not appear to be contraindicated in children with pulmonary hypertension.

Cryoprecipitate and platelet administration during modified ultrafiltration in children less than 10 kg undergoing cardiac surgery

The timing of blood product administration after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) may influence the amount of postoperative transfusion and chest tube output. We performed a retrospective study of a novel technique of administering blood products during modified ultrafiltration (MUF) in congenital cardiac surgery. A Control Group (CG; n = 55) received cryoprecipitate and platelets after modified ultrafiltration. The Treatment Group (TG; n = 59) received cryoprecipitate and platelets during MUF. Volumes of blood products transfused in the operating room, initial coagulation parameters in the cardiac intensive care unit, and first 24-hour chest tube output were recorded. Age (116 +/- 198 versus 84 +/- 91 days), weight (4.6 +/- 1.8 versus 4.5 +/- 1.4 kg), duration of bypass (121 +/- 50 versus 139 +/- 57 minutes), and Aristotle scoring (9.3 +/- 2.7 versus 9.1 +/- 3.1) were not significantly different when comparing the control and treatment groups, respectively. Intraoperative packed red blood cells (74.4 +/- 34.8 versus 79.3 +/- 58.0 mL/kg, p = .710), fresh-frozen plasma (58.3 +/- 27.1 versus 59.1 +/- 27.2 mL/kg, p = .849), cryoprecipitate (7.3 +/- 5.1 versus 8.6 +/- 5.9 mL/kg, p = .109), and platelet (19.0 +/- 14.6 versus 23.7 +/- 20.8 mL/kg, p = .176) administration were the same in the control and treatment groups, respectively. However, fibrinogen levels on arrival in the coronary intensive care unit were significantly higher (305 +/- 80 versus 255 +/- 40 mg/dL, p < .001) in the CG compared with the TG. Twenty-four-hour chest tube output was not significantly different but the CG (17.76 +/- 9.34 mL/kg/24 hours) was trending lower than the TG (19.52 +/- 10.94 mL/kg/24 hours, p = .357). In an attempt to minimize CPB-associated bleeding and transfusions, we changed our practice by adjusting the timing of blood product administration after patient separation from CPB. The goals of the change in practice were not measurably different in terms of shorter intraoperative times, fewer blood transfusions, or less chest tube output at our institution.

KEYWORDS

congenital heart disease, modified ultrafiltration, cryoprecipitate, platelets, cardiopulmonary bypass.

Anesthetic Considerations in Infants With Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome

Hypoplasia of the left ventricle is a congenital cardiac lesion that is almost universally fatal if left untreated. Six decades of improved diagnostic modalities, greater understanding of single ventricle physiology, and earlier surgical and palliative options have given many of these patients an opportunity of surviving well into adulthood. This review will summarize these advances and focus on the anesthetic implications of this challenging disease from diagnosis to beyond the first palliative surgery.

Tetralogy of Fallot: perioperative anesthetic management of children and adults

Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is a common congenital heart defect in children. Perioperative considerations include preoperative preparation for surgery, intraoperative anesthetic management, and common postoperative issues in the intensive care unit. Surgical debates have shifted away from 2-stage versus single-stage repairs to debates of how surgery to limit pulmonary insufficiency (PI) may have significant long-term impact as the child grows. There are many adult survivors of TOF repair in infancy who now present with a unique set of problems related to PI and right ventricular dysfunction. These adults provide new insights into congenital heart disease (CHD) and how management strategies early in life may have significant implications much later in life. Patients with complex CHD should have lifelong follow-up, so our knowledge will continue to improve, and the best possible care can be provided for these patients.

Hypnotic depth and the incidence of emergence agitation and negative postoperative behavioral changes

BACKGROUND

Emergence agitation (EA) and negative postoperative behavioral changes (NPOBC) are common in children, although the etiology remains unclear. We investigated whether longer times under deep hypnosis as measured by Bispectral Index (BIS) monitoring would positively correlate with a greater incidence of EA in the PACU and a greater occurrence of NPOBC in children after discharge.

METHODS

We enrolled 400 children, 1-12 years old, scheduled for dental procedures under general anesthesia. All children were induced with high concentration sevoflurane, and BIS monitoring was continuous from induction through recovery in the PACU. A BIS reading <45 was considered deep hypnosis. The presence of EA was assessed in the PACU using the Pediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium scale. NPOBC were assessed using the Post-Hospital Behavior Questionnaire, completed by parents 3-5 days postoperatively. Data were analyzed using logistic regression, with a P < 0.05 considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

The incidence of EA was 27% (99/369), and the incidence of NPOBC was 8.8% (28/318). No significant differences in the incidence of EA or NPOBC were seen with respect to length of time under deep hypnosis as measured by a BIS value of <45.

CONCLUSION

Our data revealed no significant correlation between the length of time under deep hypnosis (BIS < 45) and the incidence of EA or NPOBC. Within this population, these behavioral disturbances do not appear to be related to the length of time under a deep hypnotic state as measured by the BIS.

Postoperative hyperglycemia is associated with mediastinitis following pediatric cardiac surgery

INTRODUCTION

Mediastinitis is an infrequent, but significant complication of median sternotomy. Perioperative hyperglycemia is associated with increased morbidity, including infection in pediatric and adult cardiac surgical patients. We hypothesized that perioperative blood glucose levels would be higher in patients who later developed mediastinitis.

METHODS

We examined the medical records of all infants and children diagnosed with poststernotomy mediastinitis (n = 24) from July 2001 to December 2005. Data recorded included postoperative blood glucose levels, age, diagnosis, operation, surgical complexity score, duration of operation and cardiopulmonary bypass, delayed sternal closure, perioperative use of steroids and total parenteral nutrition, and duration of postoperative inotropic and ventilatory support. Records of patients without mediastinitis matched for age, complexity score, and month of operation (control group, n = 32) were also reviewed. Data were analyzed with t-tests and chi-square tests. Variables with P < 0.21 on univariate tests were entered into a multivariate logistic regression model.

RESULTS

Initially, postoperative blood glucose levels were elevated, but similar in both mediastinitis and control groups. The number of subjects having peak blood glucose levels >7.2 mm (>130 mg.dl(-1)) during the first 24 h was greater in the mediastinitis group (P = 0.07). The significant multivariate predictor of mediastinitis was 24 h peak blood glucose >7.2 mM (>130 mg.dl(-1)) (P = 0.039).

CONCLUSION

Our data support the hypothesis that postoperative hyperglycemia is a risk factor for the development of mediastinitis in infants and children following cardiac surgery.

Is there a "right" way to wean my patient from the ventilator? A critical appraisal of Randolph et al: Effect of mechanical ventilator weaning protocols on respiratory outcomes in infants and children: A randomized controlled trial (JAMA 2002; 288:2561-2568)

OBJECTIVE

To review the findings and discuss the implications of mechanical ventilator weaning protocols in children.

DESIGN

A critical appraisal of Randolph et al. Effect of mechanical ventilator weaning protocols on respiratory outcomes in infants and children: A randomized controlled trial. JAMA 2002;288:2561-2568, and literature review.

FINDINGS

There was no difference in ventilator weaning times between children randomized to a ventilator weaning protocol (pressure support, volume support, or no protocol). However, the study did show that increased sedative use during the first 24 hrs of weaning (the only time during which these data were collected) was an important predictor of weaning duration (p < .001) and weaning failure (p = .04).

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of children are weaned from mechanical ventilation over a short period of time. Weaning protocols may not shorten this brief duration of weaning but may have other advantages such as improved collaboration between healthcare team members. Future research into the effects of sedation on weaning from mechanical ventilation is needed in children.

Pediatric sedation outside the operating room: the year in review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review is a survey of the recent literature concerning issues and trends in the rapidly changing field of pediatric sedation.

RECENT FINDINGS

Clinical guidelines for the safe provision of sedation to children continue to be developed and revised. Systems for providing sedation are evolving, and the most successful models emerging are those that involve a dedicated team, either mobile or stationary, of physicians and nurses. A variety of drugs is used, and potent drugs that were designed as anesthetics, such as propofol and ketamine, are being administered outside the operating room by anesthesiologists and non-anesthesiologists. The safety of this practice continues to be debated. The reported incidence of adverse events is different in various settings and systems; however, outcome data are difficult to compare because of differences in study design and outcome definition. There is agreement that sedation is a continuum, and evidence that the depth of sedation attained during procedural sedation in children is often consistent with general anesthesia. Capnography and processed electroencephalogram monitoring have been described in sedation studies, may enhance safety during pediatric sedation, and should be investigated further.

SUMMARY

The evolution of systems, drugs, and monitors for the provision of pediatric sedation is continuing. An accurate assessment of safety and other outcomes will be enhanced through the establishment of multicenter collaborative databases.

Correlation of the Bispectral Index Monitor with the COMFORT scale in the pediatric intensive care unit

OBJECTIVE

The COMFORT scale is a commonly used observational scoring system to assess the level of sedation in ventilated children in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs). The bispectral index (BIS) monitor is a processed electroencephalographic parameter that noninvasively measures the hypnotic effect of anesthetic and sedative drugs on the brain. The objective of this study was to assess the degree of correlation between the COMFORT scale and the BIS monitor.

DESIGN

A prospective study in a tertiary level PICU.

RESULTS

A total of 75 children were enrolled in the study, resulting in 869 valid paired observations of BIS values and COMFORT scores. The median age was 10 months, with a range of 1 month to 12 yrs. The median COMFORT score was 11 (range, 8-40). The median BIS value was 52 (range, 0-98). In a repeated-measures analysis, the correlation coefficient between COMFORT scores and BIS values averaged over time was 0.61 (p < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS

The BIS monitor may be a valid and useful monitor of the level of sedation of children in the PICU. We cannot expect perfect correlation between BIS values and observational scales because they measure different variables. The BIS monitor may be the best objective monitor currently available for children receiving neuromuscular blockade because it does not rely on subjective measures such as those used in the COMFORT scale. The ability of the BIS monitor to distinguish between very deep levels of sedation may be useful to prevent over-sedation of children in PICUs and to help clarify the appropriate target level of sedation for each child.

Sedation, analgesia, and neuromuscular blockade in the pediatric intensive care unit: survey of fellowship training programs

OBJECTIVE

To survey current sedation, analgesia, and neuromuscular blockade practices in pediatric critical care fellowship training programs in the United States.

DESIGN

Questionnaire survey sent by all program directors. The survey could be submitted either via a Web site, fax, or mail.

SETTING

University school of medicine.

SUBJECTS

Fifty-nine pediatric critical care fellowship training program directors in the United States, listed on the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Web site.

INTERVENTIONS

Survey.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The response rate was 59.3% (35 questionnaires). Midazolam, lorazepam, morphine, and fentanyl are the most frequently used drugs in pediatric intensive care units for analgesia and sedation. Most pediatric intensive care units surveyed have a written sedation policy (66%). The majority of units responding to the survey (85.7%) routinely use a scoring system to assess agitation and pain in children, with the most common being the COMFORT score. All of the pediatric intensive care units surveyed reported weaning drugs slowly to try to prevent drug withdrawal. Movement disorders related to prolonged sedation and analgesia seem to be more common than is reported in the literature, with 65.7% of units reporting cases. There is good consensus on the indications for neuromuscular blockade, with vecuronium being the most popular drug.

CONCLUSIONS

When compared with a similar survey from 1989, this survey suggests that pediatric critical care units with fellowship training programs have made some changes in their approach to sedation and analgesia over the past decade. More fellowship directors report the use of sedation protocols and better recognition, prevention, and management of drug withdrawal. Similar analgesic, sedative, and neuromuscular blocking drugs are being used but some more commonly than a decade ago.