Needle-free pharmacological sedation techniques in paediatric patients for imaging procedures:a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Sedation techniques and drugs are increasingly used in children undergoing imaging procedures. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we present an overview of literature concerning sedation of children aged 0–8 yr for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedures using needle-free pharmacological techniques. Methods: Embase, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases were systematically searched for studies on the use of needle-free pharmacological sedation techniques for MRI procedures in children aged 0–8 yr. Studies using i.v. or i.m. medication or advanced airway devices were excluded. We performed a meta-analysis on sedation success rate. Secondary outcomes were onset time, duration, recovery, and adverse events. Results: Sixty-seven studies were included, with 22 380 participants. The pooled success rate for oral chloral hydrate was 94% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.91–0.96); for oral chloral hydrate and intranasal dexmedetomidine 95% (95% CI: 0.92–0.97); for rectal, oral, or intranasal midazolam 36% (95% CI: 0.14–0.65); for oral pentobarbital 99% (95% CI: 0.90–1.00); for rectal thiopental 92% (95% CI: 0.85–0.96); for oral melatonin 75% (95% CI: 0.54–0.89); for intranasal dexmedetomidine 62% (95% CI: 0.38–0.82); for intranasal dexmedetomidine and midazolam 94% (95% CI: 0.78–0.99); and for inhaled sevoflurane 98% (95% CI: 0.97–0.99). Conclusions: We found a large variation in medication, dosage, and route of administration for needle-free sedation. Success rates for sedation techniques varied between 36% and 98%.</p

Peri-operative red blood cell transfusion in neonates and infants: NEonate and children audiT of anaesthesia pRactice IN Europe: A prospective European multicentre observational study.

BACKGROUND Little is known about current clinical practice concerning peri-operative red blood cell transfusion in neonates and small infants. Guidelines suggest transfusions based on haemoglobin thresholds ranging from 8.5 to 12 g dl-1, distinguishing between children from birth to day 7 (week 1), from day 8 to day 14 (week 2) or from day 15 (≥week 3) onwards. OBJECTIVE To observe peri-operative red blood cell transfusion practice according to guidelines in relation to patient outcome. DESIGN A multicentre observational study. SETTING The NEonate-Children sTudy of Anaesthesia pRactice IN Europe (NECTARINE) trial recruited patients up to 60 weeks' postmenstrual age undergoing anaesthesia for surgical or diagnostic procedures from 165 centres in 31 European countries between March 2016 and January 2017. PATIENTS The data included 5609 patients undergoing 6542 procedures. Inclusion criteria was a peri-operative red blood cell transfusion. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary endpoint was the haemoglobin level triggering a transfusion for neonates in week 1, week 2 and week 3. Secondary endpoints were transfusion volumes, 'delta haemoglobin' (preprocedure - transfusion-triggering) and 30-day and 90-day morbidity and mortality. RESULTS Peri-operative red blood cell transfusions were recorded during 447 procedures (6.9%). The median haemoglobin levels triggering a transfusion were 9.6 [IQR 8.7 to 10.9] g dl-1 for neonates in week 1, 9.6 [7.7 to 10.4] g dl-1 in week 2 and 8.0 [7.3 to 9.0] g dl-1 in week 3. The median transfusion volume was 17.1 [11.1 to 26.4] ml kg-1 with a median delta haemoglobin of 1.8 [0.0 to 3.6] g dl-1. Thirty-day morbidity was 47.8% with an overall mortality of 11.3%. CONCLUSIONS Results indicate lower transfusion-triggering haemoglobin thresholds in clinical practice than suggested by current guidelines. The high morbidity and mortality of this NECTARINE sub-cohort calls for investigative action and evidence-based guidelines addressing peri-operative red blood cell transfusions strategies. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT02350348

Automatic Max-Likelihood Envelope Detection Algorithm for Quantitative High-Frame-Rate Ultrasound for Neonatal Brain Monitoring

Objective: Post-operative brain injury in neonates may result from disturbed cerebral perfusion, but accurate peri-operative monitoring is lacking. High-frame-rate (HFR) cerebral ultrasound could visualize and quantify flow in all detectable vessels using spectral Doppler; however, automated quantification in small vessels is challenging because of low signal amplitude. We have developed an automatic envelope detection algorithm for HFR pulsed wave spectral Doppler signals, enabling neonatal brain quantitative parameter maps during and after surgery. Methods: HFR ultrasound data from high-risk neonatal surgeries were recorded with a custom HFR mode (frame rate = 1000 Hz) on a Zonare ZS3 system. A pulsed wave Doppler spectrogram was calculated for each pixel containing blood flow in the image, and spectral peak velocity was tracked using a max-likelihood estimation algorithm of signal and noise regions in the spectrogram, where the most likely cross-over point marks the blood flow velocity. The resulting peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV) and resistivity index (RI) were compared with other detection schemes, manual tracking and RIs from regular pulsed wave Doppler measurements in 10 neonates. Results: Envelope detection was successful in both high- and low-quality arterial and venous flow spectrograms. Our technique had the lowest root mean square error for EDV, PSV and RI (0.46 cm/s, 0.53 cm/s and 0.15, respectively) when compared with manual tracking. There was good agreement between the clinical pulsed wave Doppler RI and HFR measurement with a mean difference of 0.07. Conclusion: The max-likelihood algorithm is a promising approach to accurate, automated cerebral blood flow monitoring with HFR imaging in neonates.</p

Myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery and its association with short-term mortality

Background: To identify patients at risk for postoperative myocardial injury and death, measuring cardiac troponin routinely after noncardiac surgery has been suggested. Such monitoring was implemented in our hospital. The aim of this study was to determine the predictive value of postoperative myocardial injury, as measured by troponin elevation, on 30-day mortality after noncardiac surgery. Methods and Results: This observational, single-center cohort study included 2232 consecutive intermediate- to highrisk noncardiac surgery patients aged ≥60 years who underwent surgery in 2011. Troponin was measured on the first 3 postoperative days. Log binomial regression analysis was used to estimate the association between postoperative myocardial injury (troponin I level &gt;0.06 μg/L) and all-cause 30-day mortality. Myocardial injury was found in 315 of 1627 patients in whom troponin I was measured (19%). All-cause death occurred in 56 patients (3%). The relative risk of a minor increase in troponin (0.07-0.59 μg/L) was 2.4 (95% confidence interval, 1.3-4.2; P&lt;0.01), and the relative risk of a 10- to 100-fold increase in troponin (≥0.60 μg/L) was 4.2 (95% confidence interval, 2.1-8.6; P&lt;0.01). A myocardial infarction according to the universal definition was diagnosed in 10 patients (0.6%), of whom 1 (0.06%) had ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Conclusions: Postoperative myocardial injury is an independent predictor of 30-day mortality after noncardiac surgery. Implementation of postoperative troponin monitoring as standard of care is feasible and may be helpful in improving the prognosis of patients undergoing noncardiac surgery.</p

The eXpectations of Parents regarding Anesthesiology Study (XPAS) from a parental perspective:a two-phase observational cross-sectional cohort study

Background: Uncertainty concerning anesthetic procedures and risks in children requiring anesthesia may cause concerns in parents and caregivers. Aims: To explore parental expectations and experiences regarding their child's anesthesia using questionnaires designed with parental input. Methods: This observational cross-sectional cohort study included parents (including caregivers) of children undergoing anesthesia in a tertiary pediatric referral university hospital. The study consisted of two phases. In Phase 1, we developed three questionnaires with parental involvement through a focus group discussion and individual interviews. The questionnaires focused on parental satisfaction, knowledge, concerns, and need for preparation regarding their child's anesthesia. In Phase 2, independent samples of parents completed the questionnaires at three time points: before the preanesthesia assessment (T1), 2 days after the preanesthesia assessment (T2), and 4 days after the anesthetic procedure (T3). Results: In Phase 1, 22 parents were involved in the development of the questionnaires. The three questionnaires contained 43 questions in total, of which 10 had been proposed by parents. In Phase 2, 78% (474 out of 934) parents participated at T1, 36% (610 out of 1705), at T2 and 34% (546 out of 1622) at T3. Parental satisfaction scores were rated on a visual analogue scale for the preanesthesia assessment with a median of 87/100, and with a median of 90/100 for the anesthetic procedure (0: not satisfied and 100: satisfied). Parental concerns were rated with a median of 50/100 (0: no concerns and 100: extremely concerned). Parental answers from the questionnaire at T2 revealed significant knowledge deficits, with only 73% reporting that the anesthesiologist was a physician. Parents preferred to receive more information about the procedure, especially regarding the intended effects and side effects of anesthesia. Conclusions: Overall, parental satisfaction scores regarding the pediatric anesthesiology procedure were high, with a minority expressing concerns. Parents indicated a preference for their child's anesthesiologist to visit them both before and after the anesthetic procedure. Parental expectations regarding anesthesia did not completely correspond with the information provided; more information from the clinician about the intended effects and side effects of anesthesia was desired.</p

Myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery and its association with short-term mortality

Background: To identify patients at risk for postoperative myocardial injury and death, measuring cardiac troponin routinely after noncardiac surgery has been suggested. Such monitoring was implemented in our hospital. The aim of this study was to determine the predictive value of postoperative myocardial injury, as measured by troponin elevation, on 30-day mortality after noncardiac surgery. Methods and Results: This observational, single-center cohort study included 2232 consecutive intermediate- to highrisk noncardiac surgery patients aged ≥60 years who underwent surgery in 2011. Troponin was measured on the first 3 postoperative days. Log binomial regression analysis was used to estimate the association between postoperative myocardial injury (troponin I level &gt;0.06 μg/L) and all-cause 30-day mortality. Myocardial injury was found in 315 of 1627 patients in whom troponin I was measured (19%). All-cause death occurred in 56 patients (3%). The relative risk of a minor increase in troponin (0.07-0.59 μg/L) was 2.4 (95% confidence interval, 1.3-4.2; P&lt;0.01), and the relative risk of a 10- to 100-fold increase in troponin (≥0.60 μg/L) was 4.2 (95% confidence interval, 2.1-8.6; P&lt;0.01). A myocardial infarction according to the universal definition was diagnosed in 10 patients (0.6%), of whom 1 (0.06%) had ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Conclusions: Postoperative myocardial injury is an independent predictor of 30-day mortality after noncardiac surgery. Implementation of postoperative troponin monitoring as standard of care is feasible and may be helpful in improving the prognosis of patients undergoing noncardiac surgery.</p

A comparison of ultrafast and conventional spectral Doppler ultrasound to measure cerebral blood flow velocity during inguinal hernia repair in infants

Background: Ultrafast cerebral Doppler ultrasound enables simultaneous quantification and visualization of cerebral blood flow velocity. The aim of this study is to compare the use of conventional and ultrafast spectral Doppler during anesthesia and their potential to show the effect of anesthesiologic procedures on cerebral blood flow velocities, in relation to blood pressure and cerebral oxygenation in infants undergoing inguinal hernia repair. Methods: A single-center prospective observational cohort study in infants up to six months of age. We evaluated conventional and ultrafast spectral Doppler cerebral ultrasound measurements in terms of number of successful measurements during the induction of anesthesia, after sevoflurane induction, administration of caudal analgesia, a fluid bolus and emergence of anesthesia. Cerebral blood flow velocity was quantified in pial arteries using conventional spectral Doppler and in the cerebral cortex using ultrafast Doppler by peak systolic velocity, end diastolic velocity and resistivity index.Results: Twenty infants were included with useable conventional spectral Doppler images in 72/100 measurements and ultrafast Doppler images in 51/100 measurements. Intraoperatively, the success rates were 53/60 (88.3%) and 41/60 (68.3%), respectively. Cerebral blood flow velocity increased after emergence for both conventional (end diastolic velocity, from 2.01 to 2.75 cm/s, p &lt; 0.001) and ultrafast spectral Doppler (end diastolic velocity, from 0.59 to 0.94 cm/s), whereas cerebral oxygenation showed a reverse pattern with a decrease after the emergence of the infant (85% to 68%, p &lt; 0.001). Conclusion: It is possible to quantify cortical blood flow velocity during general anesthesia using conventional and ultrafast spectral Doppler cerebral ultrasound. Cerebral blood flow velocity and blood pressure decreased, while regional cerebral oxygenation increased during general anesthesia. Ultrafast spectral Doppler ultrasound offers novel insights into perfusion within the cerebral cortex, unattainable through conventional spectral ultrasound. Yet, ultrafast Doppler is curtailed by a lower success rate and a more rigorous learning curve compared to conventional method.</p

A comparison of ultrafast and conventional spectral Doppler ultrasound to measure cerebral blood flow velocity during inguinal hernia repair in infants

Background: Ultrafast cerebral Doppler ultrasound enables simultaneous quantification and visualization of cerebral blood flow velocity. The aim of this study is to compare the use of conventional and ultrafast spectral Doppler during anesthesia and their potential to show the effect of anesthesiologic procedures on cerebral blood flow velocities, in relation to blood pressure and cerebral oxygenation in infants undergoing inguinal hernia repair. Methods: A single-center prospective observational cohort study in infants up to six months of age. We evaluated conventional and ultrafast spectral Doppler cerebral ultrasound measurements in terms of number of successful measurements during the induction of anesthesia, after sevoflurane induction, administration of caudal analgesia, a fluid bolus and emergence of anesthesia. Cerebral blood flow velocity was quantified in pial arteries using conventional spectral Doppler and in the cerebral cortex using ultrafast Doppler by peak systolic velocity, end diastolic velocity and resistivity index.Results: Twenty infants were included with useable conventional spectral Doppler images in 72/100 measurements and ultrafast Doppler images in 51/100 measurements. Intraoperatively, the success rates were 53/60 (88.3%) and 41/60 (68.3%), respectively. Cerebral blood flow velocity increased after emergence for both conventional (end diastolic velocity, from 2.01 to 2.75 cm/s, p &lt; 0.001) and ultrafast spectral Doppler (end diastolic velocity, from 0.59 to 0.94 cm/s), whereas cerebral oxygenation showed a reverse pattern with a decrease after the emergence of the infant (85% to 68%, p &lt; 0.001). Conclusion: It is possible to quantify cortical blood flow velocity during general anesthesia using conventional and ultrafast spectral Doppler cerebral ultrasound. Cerebral blood flow velocity and blood pressure decreased, while regional cerebral oxygenation increased during general anesthesia. Ultrafast spectral Doppler ultrasound offers novel insights into perfusion within the cerebral cortex, unattainable through conventional spectral ultrasound. Yet, ultrafast Doppler is curtailed by a lower success rate and a more rigorous learning curve compared to conventional method.</p

Microcirculatory Monitoring in Children with Congenital Heart Disease Before and After Cardiac Surgery

In this prospective observational study, we investigated whether congenital heart disease (CHD) affects the microcirculation and whether the microcirculation is altered following cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Thirty-eight children with CHD undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB and 35 children undergoing elective, non-cardiac surgery were included. Repeated non-invasive sublingual microcirculatory measurements were performed with handheld vital microscopy. Before surgery, children with CHD showed similar perfused vessel densities and red blood cell velocities (RBCv) but less perfused vessels (p &lt; 0.001), lower perfusion quality (p &lt; 0.001), and higher small vessel densities (p = 0.039) than children without CHD. After cardiac surgery, perfused vessel densities and perfusion quality of small vessels declined (p = 0.025 and p = 0.032), while RBCv increased (p = 0.032). We demonstrated that CHD was associated with decreased microcirculatory perfusion and increased capillary recruitment. The microcirculation was further impaired after cardiac surgery. Decreased microcirculatory perfusion could be a warning sign for altered tissue oxygenation and requires further exploration. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].</p

Microcirculatory Monitoring in Children with Congenital Heart Disease Before and After Cardiac Surgery

In this prospective observational study, we investigated whether congenital heart disease (CHD) affects the microcirculation and whether the microcirculation is altered following cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Thirty-eight children with CHD undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB and 35 children undergoing elective, non-cardiac surgery were included. Repeated non-invasive sublingual microcirculatory measurements were performed with handheld vital microscopy. Before surgery, children with CHD showed similar perfused vessel densities and red blood cell velocities (RBCv) but less perfused vessels (p < 0.001), lower perfusion quality (p < 0.001), and higher small vessel densities (p = 0.039) than children without CHD. After cardiac surgery, perfused vessel densities and perfusion quality of small vessels declined (p = 0.025 and p = 0.032), while RBCv increased (p = 0.032). We demonstrated that CHD was associated with decreased microcirculatory perfusion and increased capillary recruitment. The microcirculation was further impaired after cardiac surgery. Decreased microcirculatory perfusion could be a warning sign for altered tissue oxygenation and requires further exploration