Abstract Background/Objectives: Nutritional support is a critical yet challenging aspect of care for pediatric patients requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Malnutrition is prevalent in this population and is associated with worse clinical outcomes. This review synthesizes current evidence on nutritional strategies for pediatric ECMO patients, emphasizing assessment methods, feeding routes,..
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Abstract Abstract Objective To investigate cerebral autoregulation impairment during neonatal cardiac surgery. Design A retrospective observational study. Setting Single-center, university teaching children’s hospital. Participants Neonates undergoing surgery for critical congenital heart defects. Interventions Calculation of the cerebral oximetry index (COx) and COx-derived parameters was performed by processing signals from intraoperative..
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Abstract IMPORTANCE: Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) surgery is associated with changes in the intestinal microbiome. Metabolism of tryptophan into the indole pathway is entirely facilitated by the intestinal microbiome, and indole metabolites play a critical role in intestinal epithelial integrity, intestinal and systemic vascular tone, and intestinal and systemic immune response...
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Abstract Background: Plastic-containing medical devices are commonly used in critical care units and other patient care settings. Patients are often exposed to xenobiotic agents that are leached out from plastic-containing medical devices, including bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates. Given the potential health implications, there is an urgent need for a..
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Abstract Objective This study aimed to evaluate the validity of models using Procalcitonin (PCT) alone and PCT combined with other biomarkers to predict early infection after pediatric open-heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Methods A prospective observational study was conducted on children undergoing open-heart surgery with CPB, without preoperative infection...
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Abstract The success of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in treating Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and the risk factors associated with mortality remain uncertain. Methods: We describe the survival outcomes at discharge of the largest SLE cohort on ECMO support. We performed a retrospective cohort study of the Extracorporeal Life Support..
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Abstract Background Current indicators for monitoring intraoperative organ function remain predominantly indirect, delayed and non-specific, particularly in paediatric populations undergoing congenital heart surgery, where multifactorial influences further complicate functional assessments. Emerging evidence suggests that the use of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) technology to continuously monitor the regional oxygen saturation (rSO₂) of intraoperative..
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Abstract As survival after ECMO improves and use of ECMO support increases in both pediatric and adult population, there is a need to focus on both the morbidities and complications associated with ECMO and how to manage and prevent them. Infectious complications during ECMO often have a significant clinical impact,..
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Abstract Background Understanding cerebral blood flow regulation and later optimizing brain perfusion is part of neuroprotection during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in neonates. Methods A total of 38 neonates undergoing CPB were monitored using near-infrared spectrometry and mean arterial pressure (MAP). Cerebral autoregulation (CAR) was assessed through the continuous measurement of..
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Abstract Background Minimally invasive thoracotomies to repair selected congenital heart defects are considered only a cosmetic alternative approach by many; however, they represent the routine alternative in centers of expertise. Methods Pooled institutional data from the European Congenital Heart Surgeons Association using mini-thoracotomy approaches were analyzed since the beginning of..
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