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Objective In the midst of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic, which causes coronavirus disease 2019, there is a recognized need to expand critical care services and beds beyond the traditional boundaries. There is considerable concern that widespread infection will result in a surge of critically ill patients that will overwhelm our present adult ICU capacity. In this setting, one proposal to add "surge capacity" has been the use of PICU beds and physicians to care for these critically ill adults. Design Narrative review/perspective. Setting Not applicable. Patients Not applicable. Interventions None. Measurements and main results The virus's high infectivity and prolonged asymptomatic shedding have resulted in an exponential growth in the number of cases in the United States within the past weeks with many (up to 6%) developing acute respiratory distress syndrome mandating critical care services. Coronavirus disease 2019 critical illness appears to be primarily occurring in adults. Although pediatric intensivists are well versed in the care of acute respiratory distress syndrome from viral pneumonia, the care of differing aged adult populations presents some unique challenges. In this statement, a team of adult and pediatric-trained critical care physicians provides guidance on common "adult" issues that may be encountered in the care of these patients and how they can best be managed in a PICU. Conclusions This concise scientific statement includes references to the most recent and relevant guidelines and clinical trials that shape management decisions. The intention is to assist PICUs and intensivists in rapidly preparing for care of adult coronavirus disease 2019 patients should the need arise.

The optimal timing for neonatal cardiac surgery is a potentially modifiable factor that may affect outcomes. We studied the relationship between age at surgery (AAS) and outcomes across multiple hospitals, focusing on neonatal operations where timing appears is not emergency.We studied neonates ≥37 weeks' gestation and ≥2.5 kg admitted to a treating hospital on or before day of life 2 undergoing selected index cardiac operations. The impact of AAS on outcomes was evaluated across the entire cohort and a standard risk subgroup (ie, free of preoperative mechanical ventilation, mechanical circulatory support, or other organ failure). Outcomes included mortality, major morbidity (ie, cardiac arrest, mechanical circulatory support, unplanned cardiac reintervention, or neurologic complication), and postoperative cardiac intensive care unit and hospital length of stay. Post hoc analyses focused on operations undertaken between day of life 2 and 7.We studied 2536 neonates from 47 hospitals. AAS from day of life 2 through 7 was not associated with risk adjusted mortality or major morbidity among the entire cohort and the standard risk subgroup. Older AAS, although associated with modest increases in postoperative cardiac intensive care unit and hospital length of stay in the entire cohort, was not associated with hospital length of stay in the standard risk subgroup.Among select nonemergency neonatal cardiac operations, AAS between day of life 2 and 7 was not found to be associated with risk adjusted mortality or major morbidity. Although delays in surgical timing may modestly increase preoperative resource use, studies of AAS and outcomes not evident at the time of discharge are needed.

OBJECTIVES Evaluate differences in tracheal intubation-associated events and process variances (i.e., multiple intubation attempts and oxygen desaturation) between pediatric cardiac ICUs and noncardiac PICUs in children with underlying cardiac disease. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study using a multicenter tracheal intubation quality improvement database (National Emergency Airway Registry for Children). SETTING Thirty-six PICUs (five cardiac ICUs, 31 noncardiac ICUs) from July 2012 to March 2016. PATIENTS Children with medical or surgical cardiac disease who underwent intubation in an ICU. INTERVENTIONS None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Our primary outcome was the rate of any adverse tracheal intubation-associated event. Secondary outcomes were severe tracheal intubation-associated events, multiple tracheal intubation attempt rates, and oxygen desaturation. There were 1,502 tracheal intubations in children with underlying cardiac disease (751 in cardiac ICUs, 751 in noncardiac ICUs) reported. Cardiac ICUs and noncardiac ICUs had similar proportions of patients with surgical cardiac disease. Patients undergoing intubation in cardiac ICUs were younger (median age, 1 mo [interquartile range, 0-6 mo]) compared with noncardiac ICUs (median 3 mo [interquartile range, 1-11 mo]; p < 0.001). Tracheal intubation-associated event rates were not different between cardiac ICUs and noncardiac ICUs (16% vs 19%; adjusted odds ratio, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.54-1.02; p = 0.069). However, in a sensitivity analysis comparing cardiac ICUs with mixed ICUs (i.e., ICUs caring for children with either general pediatric or cardiac diseases), cardiac ICUs had decreased odds of adverse events (adjusted odds ratio, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.52-0.97; p = 0.033). Rates of severe tracheal intubation-associated events and multiple attempts were similar. Desaturations occurred more often during intubation in cardiac ICUs (adjusted odds ratio, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.04-1.15; p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS In children with underlying cardiac disease, rates of adverse tracheal intubation-associated events were not lower in cardiac ICUs as compared to noncardiac ICUs, even after adjusting for differences in patient characteristics and care models.

Total anomalous pulmonary venous return (TAPVR) is a rare congenital cardiac defect, accounting for 1.5-3% of cases of congenital heart disease. With prenatal ultrasonography, the majority of these patients are diagnosed in utero with definitive surgery performed during the neonatal period. However, as prenatal screening may not be available in developing countries, patients may present in later infancy. We present successful surgical repair of a 6-month-old infant with TAPVR who presented for medical care at 5 months of age in Lima, Peru. The late presentation of such infants and the limited resources available for the treatment of elevated pulmonary vascular resistance may impact successful surgical correction of such defects. The perioperative care of such infants in developing countries is discussed and strategies for managing postoperative pulmonary hypertension is reviewed. Cardiol Res. 2018;9(1):53-58 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/cr651w

Oxygen desaturation during tracheal intubation is known to be associated with adverse ICU outcomes in critically ill children. We aimed to determine the occurrence and severity of desaturation during tracheal intubations and the association with adverse hemodynamic tracheal intubation-associated events.Retrospective cohort study as a part of the National Emergency Airway Registry for Children Network's quality improvement project from January 2012 to December 2014.International PICUs.Critically ill children younger than 18 years undergoing primary tracheal intubations in the ICUs.tracheal intubation processes of care and outcomes were prospectively collected using standardized operational definitions. We defined moderate desaturation as oxygen saturation less than 80% and severe desaturation as oxygen saturation less than 70% during tracheal intubation procedures in children with initial oxygen saturation greater than 90% after preoxygenation. Adverse hemodynamic tracheal intubation-associated event was defined as cardiac arrests, hypo or hypertension requiring intervention, and dysrhythmia.A total of 5,498 primary tracheal intubations from 31 ICUs were reported. Moderate desaturation was observed in 19.3% associated with adverse hemodynamic tracheal intubation-associated events (9.8% among children with moderate desaturation vs 4.4% without desaturation; p0.001). Severe desaturation was observed in 12.9% of tracheal intubations, also significantly associated with hemodynamic tracheal intubation-associated events. After adjusting for patient, provider, and practice factors, the occurrence of moderate desaturation was independently associated with hemodynamic tracheal intubation-associated events: adjusted odds ratio 1.83 (95% CI, 1.34-2.51; p0.001). The occurrence of severe desaturation was also independently associated with hemodynamic tracheal intubation-associated events: adjusted odds ratio 2.16 (95% CI, 1.54-3.04; p0.001). Number of tracheal intubation attempts was also significantly associated with the frequency of moderate and severe desaturations (p0.001).In this large tracheal intubation quality improvement database, we found moderate and severe desaturation are reported among 19% and 13% of all tracheal intubation encounters. Moderate and severe desaturations were independently associated with the occurrence of adverse hemodynamic events. Future quality improvement interventions may focus to reduce desaturation events.

To determine a level of oxygen desaturation from baseline that is associated with increased risk of tracheal intubation associated events in children with cyanotic and noncyanotic heart disease.Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from the National Emergency Airway Registry for Children, an international multicenter quality improvement collaborative for airway management in critically ill children.Thirty-eight PICUs from July 2012 to December 2016.Children with cyanotic and noncyanotic heart disease who underwent tracheal intubation in a pediatric or cardiac ICU.None.Our exposure of interest was oxygen desaturation measured by a fall in pulse oximetry from baseline after preoxygenation. Primary outcome was the occurrence of hemodynamic tracheal intubation associated events defined as cardiac arrest, hypotension or dysrhythmia. One-thousand nine-hundred ten children (cyanotic, 999; noncyanotic, 911) were included. Patients with cyanotic heart disease who underwent tracheal intubations were younger (p0.001) with higher Pediatric Index of Mortality 2 scores (p0.001), more likely to have a cardiac surgical diagnosis (p0.001), and less likely to have hemodynamic instability (p = 0.009) or neurologic failure as an indication (p = 0.008). Oxygen desaturation was observed more often in children with cyanotic versus noncyanotic heart disease (desaturation of 15% to30%: 23% vs 16%, desaturation ≥ 30%: 23% vs 17%; p0.001), with no significant difference in occurrence of hemodynamic tracheal intubation associated events (7.5% vs 6.9%; p = 0.618). After adjusting for confounders, oxygen desaturation by 30% or more is associated with increased odds for adverse hemodynamic events (odds ratio, 4.03; 95% CI, 2.12-7.67) for children with cyanotic heart disease and (odds ratio, 3.80; 95% CI, 1.96-7.37) for children with noncyanotic heart disease.Oxygen desaturation was more commonly observed during tracheal intubation in children with cyanotic versus noncyanotic heart disease. However, hemodynamic tracheal intubation associated event rates were similar. In both groups, oxygen desaturation greater than or equal to 30% was significantly associated with increased occurrence of hemodynamic tracheal intubation associated events.

IntroductionChildren with CHD and acquired heart disease have unique, high-risk physiology. They may have a higher risk of adverse tracheal-intubation-associated events, as compared with children with non-cardiac disease.Materials and methodsWe sought to evaluate the occurrence of adverse tracheal-intubation-associated events in children with cardiac disease compared to children with non-cardiac disease. A retrospective analysis of tracheal intubations from 38 international paediatric ICUs was performed using the National Emergency Airway Registry for Children (NEAR4KIDS) quality improvement registry. The primary outcome was the occurrence of any tracheal-intubation-associated event. Secondary outcomes included the occurrence of severe tracheal-intubation-associated events, multiple intubation attempts, and oxygen desaturation.ResultsA total of 8851 intubations were reported between July, 2012 and March, 2016. Cardiac patients were younger, more likely to have haemodynamic instability, and less likely to have respiratory failure as an indication. The overall frequency of tracheal-intubation-associated events was not different (cardiac: 17% versus non-cardiac: 16%, p=0.13), nor was the rate of severe tracheal-intubation-associated events (cardiac: 7% versus non-cardiac: 6%, p=0.11). Tracheal-intubation-associated cardiac arrest occurred more often in cardiac patients (2.80 versus 1.28%; pConclusionsThe overall incidence of adverse tracheal-intubation-associated events in cardiac patients was not different from that in non-cardiac patients. However, the presence of a cardiac diagnosis was associated with a higher occurrence of both tracheal-intubation-associated cardiac arrest and oxygen desaturation.

Background: Families and clinicians must often weigh competing priorities when making medical decisions for a pediatric patient at the end of life. Few empirical data exist regarding the importance that clinicians place on varying priorities and whether clinical practice conforms to decision-making standards discussed in the literature. Methods: We administered a discrete choice experiment to understand the relative importance of nine pediatric end-of-life decision-making priorities using responses from 364 nurses and physicians from three intensive care units (ICUs) (pediatric ICU, pediatric cardiothoracic ICU, neonatal ICU) in a large children's hospital, with a 54% response rate. We used latent class analysis to characterize subgroups of health professionals based on their patterns of importance for the nine attributes and examined differences in class membership using multinomial logistic regression. Results: Eighty-two percent of respondents were nurses, consistent with the proportion of nurse and ph...

Conflicts between families and clinicians in pediatric end-of-life (EOL) care cause distress for providers, dissatisfaction for patients' families, and potential suffering for terminally ill children.We hypothesized that family factors might influence clinician decision making in these circumstances.We presented vignettes concerning difficult EOL decision making, randomized for religious objection to therapy withdrawal and perceived level of family involvement, to clinicians working in three Children's Hospital intensive care units. Additionally, attitudes about EOL care were assessed.Three hundred sixty-four respondents completed the questionnaire, for an overall response rate of 54%. Respondents receiving the "involved family" vignette were more likely to agree to continue medical care indefinitely (P0.0005). Respondents were marginally more likely to pursue a court-appointed guardian for those patients whose families had nonreligious objections to withdrawal (P=0.05). Respondents who thought that a fear of being sued affected decisions were less likely to pursue unilateral withdrawal (odds ratio 0.8, 95% CI=0.6-0.9). Those who felt personal distress as a result of difficult EOL decision making, thought they often provided "futile" care, or those who felt EOL care was effectively addressed at the institution were less likely to want to defer to the parents' wishes (range of odds ratios 0.7-1).In this randomized vignette study, we have shown that family factors, particularly how involved a family seems to be in a child's life, affect what clinicians think is ethically appropriate in challenging EOL cases. Knowledge of how a family's degree of involvement may affect clinicians should be helpful to the clinical ethics consultants and offer some degree of insight to the clinicians themselves.