Abstract Decision-making surrounding extracorporeal membrane oxygenation initiation and decannulation has become a key challenge in critical care. Nuanced communication skills and transparent discussions about prognosis are imperative during this lifesaving, yet high-risk and burdensome intervention. Serious illness conversation guides are proving beneficial for patients, families and staff to communicate uncertainty..
Read MoreAbstract Introduction: Modified ultrafiltration (MUF) is employed at the termination of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in pediatric and neonatal patients undergoing congenital heart surgery to reduce the accumulation of total body water thus increasing the concentration of red blood cells and the other formed elements in the circulation. Modified ultrafiltration has..
Read MoreAbstract Background Blood pressure variability (BPV), defined as the degree of variation between discrete blood pressure readings, is associated with poor outcomes in acute care settings. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common and serious postoperative complication of cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in children. No studies have yet..
Read MoreThis case reports on a 16-year-old male patient (weight 56 kg), who was admitted from the hematology-oncology ward to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) after a clinical deterioration with leukocytosis, increased inflammatory parameters, zones of pulmonary consolidations with ground glass opacifications, breathing difficulties and fever. An initial test for..
Read MoreAbstract Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common and serious complication faced by children following ventricular septal defect (VSD) surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The objective of this study was to explore potential predictors inherent to AKI. Methods: VSD infants who were scheduled for elective cardiac surgery with CPB from 2017..
Read MoreAbstract Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is an invaluable means of supporting critically ill children with refractory respiratory or cardiac failure. Controversy remains; however, whether roller or centrifugal pumps are superior, particularly in infants. We performed a comprehensive search on PubMed, Embase, and Scopus for studies comparing the use of centrifugal..
Read MoreAbstract The Priming volume of the oxygenators has been reduced by 75% during the last two decades and it is now possible to go safely on bypass with a priming volume less than 150 ml. This small volume reduces hemodilution and need for blood components. It will decrease the inflammatory..
Read MoreAbstract Substantial progress has been made in the standardization of nomenclature for paediatric and congenital cardiac care. In 1936, Maude Abbott published her Atlas of Congenital Cardiac Disease, which was the first formal attempt to classify congenital heart disease. The International Paediatric and Congenital Cardiac Code (IPCCC) is now utilized..
Read MoreAbstract Introduction To assess the efficacy of C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) at identifying infection in children after congenital heart surgery (CHS) with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Materials and Methods Systematic review of the literature was conducted to identify studies with data regarding CRP and/or PCT after CHS with CPB...
Read MoreAbstract During cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), high flows can allow an adequate perfusion to kidneys, but, on the other hand, they could cause emboli production, increased vascular pressure, and a more intense inflammatory response, which are in turn causes of renal damage. Along with demographic variables, other intra-operative management and post-operative..
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