Search

OBJECTIVE Delirium and agitation can be devastating and prolong the length of hospitalization. As part of our continuous improvement efforts, we implemented the use of intermittent chlorpromazine therapy to target refractory agitation associated with hyperactive or mixed delirium (RAA-D). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of chlorpromazine on RAA-D and delirium symptoms as well as any adverse effects in critically ill children. METHODS Retrospective chart review was conducted for children admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit who were treated with chlorpromazine for RAA-D from March 2017 to January 2019. The primary end point was to determine differences in Cornell Assessment for Pediatric Delirium (CAPD) and State Behavioral Scale (SBS) scores 24 hours before and after chlorpromazine administration. The secondary end points were the 24-hour cumulative dosing of narcotic and sedative agents before and after chlorpromazine administration and adverse events associated with chlorpromazine use. RESULTS Twenty-six patients were treated with chlorpromazine for RAA-D; 16 (61.5%) were male with a median age of 14.5 months (IQR, 6-48). The mean CAPD (n = 24) and median SBS (n = 23) scores were significantly lower 24 hours after chlorpromazine use when compared to baseline scores, 12 vs 8.9 (p = 0.0021) and 1 vs -1, (p = 0.0005) respectively. No significant adverse effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS Chlorpromazine use in critically ill children with RAA-D was helpful for managing symptoms without adverse events. Further investigation is needed to evaluate the use of chlorpromazine to treat RAA-D to avoid long-term use of an antipsychotic. ABBREVIATIONS CAPD, Cornell Assessment for Pediatric Delirium; EPS, extrapyramidal symptoms; FDA, US Food and Drug Administration; ICU, intensive care unit; IV, intravenous; LOS, length of stay; MV, mechanical ventilation; PICU, pediatric intensive care unit; PIM, Pediatric Index of Mortality; RAA-D, refractory agitation associated with hyperactive or mixed delirium; SBS, State Behavioral Scale [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To describe the use of pharmacologic treatment in critically ill children treated according to a delirium protocol and compare those treated with antipsychotics to those treated non-pharmacologically. METHODS The study included a retrospective matched cohort describing patients who were pharmacologically treated for delirium compared to those with delirium but not treated in a PICU from December 2013 to September 2015, using a delirium management protocol. Patients were matched by age, sex, diagnosis, mechanical ventilation (MV), and presence of delirium. RESULTS Of 1875 patients screened, 188 (10.03%) were positive for delirium. Of those, 15 patients (8%) were treated with an antipsychotic for delirium. Patients with delirium treated with antipsychotics were younger, had more delirium days (6 vs. 3, p=0.022), longer MV days (14 vs. 7, p=0.017), and longer PICU length of stay (34 vs. 16 days, p=0.029) than in the untreated group. Haloperidol, risperidone, and quetiapine were used in 9, 6, and 2 patients, respectively. Two patients were treated with multiple antipsychotics. Antipsychotic treatment was initiated on day 2 of delirium for 8 of 15 patients (53.3%). Ten patients in the treatment group had improved delirium scores by day 2 of treatment. No significant differences in sedation exposure between groups. No significant adverse effects were reported. CONCLUSIONS No significant adverse events seen in this small cohort of critically ill pediatric patients with delirium treated with antipsychotic therapy. Patients with early-onset delirium refractory to nonpharmacologic treatment may have a more effective response to antipsychotic therapy than patients with late-onset refractory delirium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]