Indwelling Arterial Catheter Research Articles

Comparison of SpO2- with PaO2-Based Indices of Oxygenation in Children with Respiratory Failure

AbstractGiven the widespread availability of pulse oximetry and its potential to replace partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2)-based indices of oxygenation, we aimed to study the correlation between pulse oximetry-based oxygen saturation (SpO2)- and PaO2-based indices of oxygenation namely, SpO2/FiO2 (SF) ratio with PaO2/FiO2 (PF) ratio and oxygen saturation index (OSI) with oxygenation index (OI) under varying physiological conditions, along with accuracy measures for SpO2-based indices. Inclusion criteria included children (1 month to 18 years) admitted to pediatric intensive care unit needing invasive ventilation for hypoxemic respiratory failure with SpO2 ≥ 80% and having an indwelling arterial catheter. A total of 1,237 sets of simultaneous PaO2, SpO2 readings, and ventilator parameters were recorded. There was a moderate correlation between SF and PF ratios (r s = 0.68, p < 0.001) and strong correlation between OSI and OI (r s = 0.89, p < 0.001). We obtained SF ratios of 271, 235, and 200 corresponding to PF ratios of 300, 200, and 100, respectively. SF ratio showed a good discrimination ability to identify moderate (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUROC] = 0.901) and severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS; AUROC = 0.889) and fair discrimination ability for mild ARDS (AUROC = 0.770). OSI of 4.1, 6.4, and 11.1 corresponded to OI of 4, 8, and 16, respectively. OSI demonstrated an excellent discrimination ability for diagnosing mild (AUROC = 0.928), moderate (AUROC = 0.961), and severe ARDS (AUROC = 0.965). The correlation between SF/PF ratio and OSI/OI was the strongest in the lowest SpO2 range studied. SpO2-based indices of oxygenation could replace PaO2-based indices with reasonable accuracy for patients with SpO2 values ≥ 80%.

Exposure to Non-Steady-State Oxygen Is Reflected in Changes to Arterial Blood Gas Values, Prefrontal Cortical Activity, and Systemic Cytokine Levels.

Onboard oxygen-generating systems (OBOGSs) provide increased inspired oxygen (FiO2) to mitigate the risk of neurologic injury in high altitude aviators. OBOGSs can deliver highly variable oxygen concentrations oscillating around a predetermined FiO2 set point, even when the aircraft cabin altitude is relatively stable. Steady-state exposure to 100% FiO2 evokes neurovascular vasoconstriction, diminished cerebral perfusion, and altered electroencephalographic activity. Whether non-steady-state FiO2 exposure leads to similar outcomes is unknown. This study characterized the physiologic responses to steady-state and non-steady-state FiO2 during normobaric and hypobaric environmental pressures emulating cockpit pressures within tactical aircraft. The participants received an indwelling radial arterial catheter while exposed to steady-state or non-steady-state FiO2 levels oscillating ± 15% of prescribed set points in a hypobaric chamber. Steady-state exposure to 21% FiO2 during normobaria produced arterial blood gas values within the anticipated ranges. Exposure to non-steady-state FiO2 led to PaO2 levels higher upon cessation of non-steady-state FiO2 than when measured during steady-state exposure. This pattern was consistent across all FiO2 ranges, at each barometric condition. Prefrontal cortical activation during cognitive testing was lower following exposure to non-steady-state FiO2 >50% and <100% during both normobaria and hypobaria of 494 mmHg. The serum analyte levels (IL-6, IP-10, MCP-1, MDC, IL-15, and VEGF-D) increased 48 h following the exposures. We found non-steady-state FiO2 levels >50% reduced prefrontal cortical brain activation during the cognitive challenge, consistent with an evoked pattern of neurovascular constriction and dilation.

Pediatric arterial thrombosis: A single-institution cohort study of patient characteristics and thrombosis outcomes.

Arterial thrombosis (AT) is an increasingly recognized complication in pediatrics. Consensus clinical practice guidelines suggest immediate removal of the indwelling arterial catheter and a short course (5-7 days) of anticoagulation. The optimal duration and modality of antithrombotic therapy in children are yet to be determined. Describe treatment patterns and outcomes in pediatric patients with AT and explore predictors for complete thrombus resolution or long-term complications. Single-institution retrospective study. Patients were identified by ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes for the diagnosis of AT or reports of AT on ultrasound from January 1, 2012, to October 1, 2022. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were used. 101 patients were included. The median age was 2.2 months. The most common underlying diagnoses were congenital heart disease (39.6%) and infection (22.8%). A majority of patients had symptomatic thrombosis in an extremity, and 78% were catheter-associated. 81% of patients received anticoagulation with a median duration of 35 days. Out of the 70 patients who were treated with anticoagulation alone and had a follow-up imaging, 70% had complete resolution after 90 days of anticoagulation. No clear predictors of complete resolution were identified. Eighteen patients had long-term sequelae secondary to arterial insufficiency. Those with infection-associated AT were more likely to have long-term complications. The major and clinically relevant non-major bleeding rate was 11%. Duration of anticoagulation was widely variable, and 70% of patients achieved complete resolution by 90 days of anticoagulation. A significant proportion of patients developed long-term sequelae secondary to arterial insufficiency. Sepsis/infection at the time of diagnosis with AT was more likely to be associated with long-term complications.

Impact of acute stress on murine metabolomics and metabolic flux

Plasma metabolite concentrations and labeling enrichments are common measures of organismal metabolism. In mice, blood is often collected by tail snip sampling. Here, we systematically examined the effect of such sampling, relative to gold-standard sampling from an in-dwelling arterial catheter, on plasma metabolomics and stable isotope tracing. We find marked differences between the arterial and tail circulating metabolome, which arise from two major factors: handling stress and sampling site, whose effects were deconvoluted by taking a second arterial sample immediately after tail snip. Pyruvate and lactate were the most stress-sensitive plasma metabolites, rising ~14 and ~5-fold. Both acute handling stress and adrenergic agonists induce extensive, immediate production of lactate, and modest production of many other circulating metabolites, and we provide a reference set of mouse circulatory turnover fluxes with noninvasive arterial sampling to avoid such artifacts. Even in the absence of stress, lactate remains the highest flux circulating metabolite on a molar basis, and most glucose flux into the TCA cycle in fasted mice flows through circulating lactate. Thus, lactate is both a central player in unstressed mammalian metabolism and strongly produced in response to acute stress.

AARC Clinical Practice Guidelines: Capillary Blood Gas Sampling for Neonatal and Pediatric Patients.

In the absence of an indwelling arterial catheter, capillary blood gas sampling may be used to evaluate the acid/base and ventilation status of neonatal and pediatric patients with cardiorespiratory conditions. These guidelines were developed from a comprehensive review of the literature to provide guidance for the collection, handling, and interpretation of blood obtained from an arterialized capillary sample. Capillary and venous blood gas measurements are a useful alternative to arterial blood gas measurements for neonatal and pediatric patients who do not require close monitoring of [Formula: see text] In the presence of alterations in body temperature, blood pressure, or peripheral perfusion, agreement between a capillary blood gas with an arterial sample is recommended to determine whether changes in these physiologic conditions reduce reliability. Perfusion to the sample site should be assessed and preference given to blood sampling from a well perfused site, and blood should be analyzed within 15 min of sampling to minimize the propensity for pre-analytical errors. Clinicians should consider re-collecting a blood sample, obtained from an artery, vein, or capillary, when the blood gas or analyte result interpretation does not align with the patient's clinical presentation. A pneumatic tube system can be reliably used to transport blood gas samples collected in a syringe and capillary tube to a clinical laboratory for analysis. To reduce the cumulative pain effect and risk of complications, the capillary puncture procedure should be minimized when possible. Non-pharmacologic interventions should be used to reduce pain associated with capillary blood gas sampling. Automatic lancets are preferred to puncture the skin for capillary blood gas collection.

Retrospective Observational Single-Center Study of Complications of Arterial Indwelling Catheters for Invasive Blood Pressure in Intensive Care Unit Patients.

This study aimed to analyze the incidence of complications resulting from the use of an indwelling arterial catheter (IAC). We compared the characteristics of the patients with an IAC who developed complications with those who did not present any complications. The study included 1,869 patients with an IAC hospitalized in intensive care units (ICUs) between 2017 and 2018. Most patients were male (58.7%), in the seventh decade of life, and had systemic arterial hypertension. The most common site of IAC implantation was the radial artery. Fifty-four (2.88%) cases of complications related to an IAC were identified including bleeding, hematomas, and thrombosis. Female patients had a higher risk of complications (P = .030). Comorbidities such as arrhythmias (P < .001) and peripheral arterial disease (P = .041) also increased that risk. The use of vasoactive drugs (P = .001), hemodialysis (P = .001), and orotracheal intubation (OTI) (P = .001) was significantly associated with the occurrence of complications as well as length of stay in ICUs (P < .001) and IAC duration (P = .001). IACs are safe devices commonly used in ICUs, with an incidence of complications of 2.88%.

Aortic Pulse Wave Velocity Derivation From Arterial Waveforms in Critically Ill Infants and Children

Methods Hemodynamically stable pre-pubertal children with an indwelling arterial catheter were enrolled. Applanation tonometry was used to measure aPWV, which was derived from the transit distance and pulse transit time. The carotid and femoral arteries were used as preferential sites and transit distance was measured relative to the suprasternal notch, an anatomical landmark for the aortic valve. Pulse transit time was derived from the time delay between the two pulse waveforms from the ECG-R wave. Peripheral arterial line waveforms were converted into ascending aortic waveforms by Hemolab software. Forward and backward wave forms were derived from the ascending aortic waveforms. Time delays were calculated between forward and backward wave forms. Effective reflecting distance (EfRD) was calculated from the equation 0.173*age+0.661*BMI+ 34.548. Estimated aPWV was derived from EfRD and the time delays. Measured aPWV and estimated aPWVs were compared. Results Aortic pulse wave velocity and arterial pressure waveforms were obtained in 33 infants and children (50% female). 66% (22) patients had history of congenital heart disease. 54% (18) patients were on mechanical ventilation. 39% (13) patients were on vasoactive medications. 0-1 year aged infants (n=18) had aPWV 0.49-15.91 m/s. aPWV in 1-5-year-old patients (n=5) was 1.82-3.72 m/s, and in 6-10-year-old patients (n=6) was 1.27-4.09 m/s. 10-12-year-old patients (n=4) had aPWV 1.7-7.02 m/s. We identified artifacts from ventilators, nasogastric lines, and pacifiers in some patients that necessitated the use of the brachial artery instead of the carotid artery for the measurement of aPWV. Measured and estimated (from arterial waveforms) aPWVs were similar in 6 patients. Estimated aPWV from arterial waveforms by using Effective reflecting distance (EfRD) correlated well with the patients' age, weight, and length. Conclusions Aortic pulse wave velocity can be feasibly measured in a critical care setting, although patient monitoring and instrumentation may make uniform measurement protocols not feasible. Future derivations of aPWV from arterial waveforms will need to take this into account. Calculating aPWV from arterial waveforms can help us to include a larger sample size of the patient population with arterial waveform data, eliminating the need for tonometry.

Pharmacodynamics of propofol and alfaxalone in rattlesnakes (Crotalus durissus)

To characterise the effect of two common induction agents, propofol and alfaxalone, on mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR), we equipped 19 adult South American rattlesnakes (Crotalus durissus) with an indwelling arterial catheter approximately 24 h prior to recording of baseline resting values. Then, seven snakes received alfaxalone (15 mg kg−1) intravascularly (IV) through the catheter, while groups two and three (both n = 6) received propofol (15 mg kg−1 IV). The first two groups were not handled, while the group 3 was manually restrained for 2 min for a mock injection of 0.2 ml saline into the ventral tail vein. Baseline HR was similar in all groups and handling caused a significant tachycardia (p = 0.031) in group three. When given IV to undisturbed animals, both propofol and alfaxalone induced a significant increase in HR (p = 0.0022 and p = 0.0045, respectively) lasting approximately 30 min, but with values only significantly exceeding baseline for the first 5 min for propofol and the first 10 min with alfaxalone. Handling caused a significant increase in MAP (p = 0.0313). Propofol did not affect MAP (p = 0.1064), while alfaxalone caused a marked hypertension (although only significant at 2 min; p = 0.031). Manual restraint significantly increases both HR and MAP, which may lead to a masking of true cardiovascular effects of anaesthetic agents.

Infected thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm related to an implanted long-term arterial catheter for chemotherapy: a case report

BackgroundAn infected aortic aneurysm is a rare and life-threatening vascular condition with a high incidence of arterial rupture and recurrence even after treatment. One of the most common causes of an infected aortic aneurysm is catheter-related bloodstream infection. Although infection due to indwelling catheters is possible, the incidence of this is rare, especially for long-term implanted arterial catheters.Case presentationA 78-year-old Japanese man with a past medical history of rectal cancer with metastasis to the liver presented to our hospital as a result of low back pain. Remission had been achieved following surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy via an implanted catheter for arterial infusion. However, the original catheter that was inserted from the femoral artery to the hepatic artery via the celiac artery was still present more than 10 years after diagnosis, without being replaced, in case of a recurrence. On the day of admission, computed tomography scan of the chest and abdomen with contrast revealed an irregularly shaped aortic aneurysm at the origin of the celiac artery and a partially expanded common hepatic artery with disproportionate fat stranding along the implanted arterial catheter without extravasation. Although the initial impression was an impending rupture of the acute thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm, a catheter-related infection was considered as a differential diagnosis. Surgery was performed, which revealed a catheter-related infected aortic aneurysm based on images along the catheter, pus cultures, and tissue pathology examination results.ConclusionsThis is an extremely rare case of an infectious aneurysm caused by prolonged implantation of an arterial catheter for chemotherapy. It should be noted that an indwelling arterial catheter not only causes bloodstream infections but can also cause an infection of a thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm.

Application of ultrasound-guided peripheral arterial puncture in severe patients with Coronavirus disease 2019 under three-level protection

Objective To explore the application of ultrasound-guided arterial line placement in severe patients with COVID-19. Methods From February to April 2020, we retrospectively collected and analyzed the clinical data of critical patients with COVID-19 with an indwelling peripheral arterial catheter treated by the medical team of Peking Union Medical College Hospital. Patients with ultrasound-guided peripheral arterial catheterization were taken as the study group, while patients whose arterial catheter was placed by traditional palpation were taken as the control group. The puncture condition and complication rate were compared between the two groups. Results A total of 60 severe patients with COVID-19 who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled in this study. There were 30 cases in the study group and 30 cases in the control group. In the study group, the success rate of the first catheterization of the peripheral artery (63.3% vs. 26.7%) and the total puncture success rate [(79.43± 25.79)% vs. (53.07±30.21)%] were higher than those in the control group (all P < 0.05), the puncture times(1.43±0.56 vs. 2.50±1.28) were less than those of the control group (P < 0.05). The rates of 24-hour disuse (6.7% vs. 30.0%), local hematoma (10.0% vs. 36.7%), occlusion, and tortuous (3.3% vs. 40.0%) in the study group were lower than those in the control group (all P < 0.05). Conclusion Under the three-level protection, ultrasound-guided arterial catheter placement for severe patients with COVID-19 can improve the success rate of catheter placement, reduce puncture times, and reduce the incidence of complications. © 2021, Peking Union Medical College Hospital. All rights reserved.

Patient Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes of Symptomatic Catheter-Related Arterial Thrombosis in Infants: A Retrospective Cohort Study

To describe the clinical characteristics, outcomes, and adverse events of treatment for symptomatic infant catheter-related arterial thrombosis. Single-center retrospective medical record review of 99 infants (age <365days) with catheter-related arterial thrombosis, either following indwelling arterial catheter placement or cardiac catheterization, who were treated with anticoagulation over an 8-year span at a pediatric tertiary care center. Outcomes measured include thrombosis progression, bleeding events, and thrombus resolution following the treatment period. Thromboses were secondary to indwelling arterial catheter placement in 51 (51.5%) and cardiac catheterization in 48 (48.5%). The median age at diagnosis of catheter-related arterial thrombosis was 52days. All patients received therapeutic anticoagulation with either unfractionated heparin or low molecular weight heparin for a maximum of 28days. Progression of catheter-related arterial thrombosis occurred in 8 (8.1%) patients. One (1%) major and 3 (3%) minor bleeding events occurred within the cohort. Complete thrombus resolution was observed in 60 (60.6%), partial resolution in 33 (33.3%), and no resolution in 6 (6.1%) following the treatment period. Factors associated with complete thrombus resolution included time from intervention to catheter-related arterial thrombosis diagnosis (median of 1day vs 5days in those who experienced thrombus resolution vs those who did not, P=.035), and iliac and/or femoral artery involvement (P=.015). Our treatment approach to infant catheter-related arterial thrombosis is safe and effective. Limitations of the study are its retrospective nature with a limited number of patients from a single institution. Additional prospective studies are needed to determine the optimal treatment approach to catheter-related arterial thrombosis in infants.

Comparison of Hematological and Biochemical Results Derived from Arterial and Venous Blood Samples in Post-Anesthetic Dogs.

Simple SummaryIn contrast to humans, general anesthesia is required for both surgical procedures and diagnostic imaging like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) in small animals. Because the post-anesthetic period is a particularly high risk time for death, serial monitoring of biochemical and hematological parameters could be required. Blood samples could be collected from an indwelling arterial catheter to avoid stress caused by venipuncture, but studies using arterial blood for hematological and biochemical testing have been limited. The aim of this study is to compare hematological and biochemical results derived from venous and arterial blood samples, and to evaluate their clinical interchangeability in post-anesthetic dogs. We found statistically significant but clinically irrelevant differences in hemoglobin, glucose, creatinine, and calcium levels, and results from venous and arterial blood samples are not clinically interchangeable for gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and potassium levels.Collecting blood from an indwelling arterial catheter may reduce stress from repeated venipuncture in patients requiring serial monitoring, but the use of arterial blood for hematological and biochemical testing remains understudied. Here, we compared hematological and biochemical results of arterial and venous blood and evaluated their clinical interchangeability. Blood samples from dogs who had recovered from anesthesia, collected by both arterial catheterization and venipuncture, were analyzed. To assess clinical acceptance between paired samples, the limit of agreement between the values derived from the arterial and venous blood samples was compared with the allowable total error (TEa) recommended for each parameter. We found no significant differences between the arterial and venous sample results for red/white blood cell and platelet counts and hematocrit, blood urea nitrogen, phosphate, total protein, albumin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, total bilirubin, sodium, potassium, and chloride levels, whereas hemoglobin, glucose, creatinine, and calcium levels differed significantly (p < 0.05). Moreover, only gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and potassium exceeded the recommended TEa. Hematological and biochemical results derived from venous and arterial blood samples are clinically interchangeable in post-anesthetic dogs, with the exception of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and potassium; thus, these values should be used with caution.

Hemodynamic resuscitation with fluids bolus and norepinephrine increases severity of lung damage in an experimental model of septic shock.

Hemodynamic resuscitation is considered a cornerstone of the initial treatment of septic shock. However, there is growing concern about its side effects. Our objective was to assess the relationship between fluid administration and norepinephrine infusion and the development of lung injury. Randomized in vivo study in rabbits. University animal research laboratory. Eighteen New Zealand rabbits. Control group (SHAM, n=6), Sepsis group with or without hemodynamic resuscitation (ETX-R, n=6; ETX-NR, n=6). Sepsis was induced by intravenous lipopolysaccharide administration and animals were followed-up for 4h. Hemodynamic resuscitation with Ringer lactate (20mL·kg-1) was administered and later norepinephrine was initiated 3h after sepsis induction. At the end, the left lung was excised. An indwelling arterial catheter and an esophageal Doppler were placed. Lung mechanics were monitored with side stream spirometry. Lung damage was analyzed by histopathological examination. The SHAM group did not show hemodynamic or respiratory changes. Lipopolysaccharide administration aimed an increase in cardiac output and arterial hypotension. In the ETX-NR group, animals remained hypotensive until the end of the experiment. Resuscitation with fluids and norepinephrine reversed arterial hypotension. Compared to the ETX-NR group, the remaining lung of the ETX-R group showed greater accumulation of neutrophils and reactive type-II pneumocytes, thicker alveolar wall, alveolar hemorrhage and non-aerated pulmonary areas. Lung injury score was larger in the ETX-R group. In our experimental study, following a strategy with bolus fluids and late norepinephrine used in the early phase of endotoxic septic shock has a negative influence on the development of lung injury.

The exercise pressor response to indoor rock climbing.

This paper assessed the blood pressure, heart rate, and mouth-pressure responses to indoor rock climbing (bouldering) and associated training exercises. Six well-trained male rock climbers (mean ± SD age, 27.7 ± 4.7 yr; stature, 177.7 ± 7.3 cm; mass, 69.8 ± 12.1 kg) completed two boulder problems (6b and 7a+ on the Fontainebleau Scale) and three typical training exercises [maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) isometric pull-up, 80% MVC pull-ups to fatigue, and campus board to fatigue]. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured via an indwelling femoral arterial catheter, and mouth pressure via a mouthpiece manometer. Bouldering evoked a peak systolic pressure of 200 ± 17 mmHg (44 ± 21% increase from baseline), diastolic pressure of 142 ± 26 mmHg (70 ± 32% increase), mean arterial pressure of 163 ± 18 mmHg (56 ± 25% increase), and heart rate of 176 ± 22 beats/min (76 ± 35% increase). The highest systolic pressure was observed during the campus board exercise (218 ± 33 mmHg), although individual values as high as 273/189 mmHg were recorded. Peak mouth pressure during climbing was 31 ± 46 mmHg, and this increased independently of climb difficulty. We concluded that indoor rock climbing and associated exercises evoke a substantial pressor response resulting in high blood pressures that may exceed those observed during other upper-limb resistance exercises. These findings may inform risk stratification for climbers.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This case study provides original data on the exercise pressor response to indoor rock climbing and associated training exercises through the use of an indwelling femoral arterial catheter. Our subjects exhibited systolic/diastolic blood pressures that exceeded values often reported during upper-limb resistance exercise. Our data extend the understanding of the cardiovascular stress associated with indoor rock climbing.

Enteral Acetaminophen Bioavailability in Pediatric Intensive Care Patients Determined With an Oral Microtracer and Pharmacokinetic Modeling to Optimize Dosing.

Decreasing morbidity and mortality by rationalizing drug treatment in the critically ill is of paramount importance but challenging as the underlying clinical condition may lead to large variation in drug disposition and response. New microtracer methodology is now available to gain knowledge on drug disposition in the intensive care. On the basis of studies in healthy adults, physicians tend to assume that oral doses of acetaminophen will be completely absorbed and therefore prescribe the same dose per kilogram for oral and IV administration. As the oral bioavailability of acetaminophen in critically ill children is unknown, we designed a microtracer study to shed a light on this issue. An innovative microtracer study design with population pharmacokinetics. A tertiary referral PICU. Stable critically ill children, 0-6 years old, and already receiving IV acetaminophen. Concomitant administration of an oral C radiolabeled acetaminophen microtracer (3 ng/kg) with IV acetaminophen treatment (15 mg/kg every 6 hr). Blood was drawn from an indwelling arterial or central venous catheter up to 24 hours after C acetaminophen microtracer administration. Acetaminophen concentrations were measured by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and C concentrations by accelerated mass spectrometry. In 47 patients (median age of 6.1 mo; Q1-Q3, 1.8-20 mo) the mean enteral bioavailability was 72% (range, 11-91%). With a standard dose (15 mg/kg 4 times daily), therapeutic steady-state concentrations were 2.5 times more likely to be reached with IV than with oral administration. Microtracer studies present a new opportunity to gain knowledge on drug disposition in the intensive care. Using this modality in children in the pediatric intensive care, we showed that enteral administration of acetaminophen results in less predictable exposure and higher likelihood of subtherapeutic blood concentration than does IV administration. IV dosing may be preferable to ensure adequate pain relief.

Incomplete limb ischemia as a complication in a pediatric patient with toxic-shock syndrome

Abstract Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is an acute, life-threatening rare pediatric disease associated with high mortality. Pathogens can be both staphylococci (especially S. aureus) and streptococci (group A streptococci). Due to the exotoxin production of the bacteria, there is a systemic attack with shock symptoms. We present the case of a 3-year-old boy who developed a toxic shock syndrome with multiple organ failure after streptococcal A pharyngitis. In addition, the combination of an indwelling arterial catheter in the left femoral artery, high-dose catecholamine administration and desolate condition of the extremities in the course of the shock syndrome led to a pronounced dermal defect on the left distal lower leg with muscular necrosis. Modern intensive care medicine makes the survival of the most serious diseases possible. Invasive methods are indispensable. Unfavorable constellations, such as hypotension, coagulation disorder and local endothelial injury from arterial or venous vascular access, especially when placed in the femoral vessels, require increased vigilance for thrombus formation. The clinical assessment of skin perfusion or the use of a pulse oximeter is unsuitable for detecting limb ischemia with good collateralisation. Therefore, it would be useful to perform a routine sonography check after the removal of an indwelling arterial catheter, especially in pediatric patients.

Effect of Delayed Cord Clamping on Cerebral Oxygenation in Very Preterm Infants

Background and Objective: The mechanism of reported benefits of delayed cord clamping (DCC) are unclear. We aimed to determine whether DCC compared to immediate cord clamping (ICC) in very preterm infants improves cerebral oxygenation in the first 24 h. Study Design: This is a prospective study of a subset of infants at < 30 weeks of gestation who were randomised to DCC (≥60 s) or ICC (< 10 s) and required an indwelling arterial catheter. Regional cerebral oxygenation (rScO₂), blood pressure, PI, and peripheral saturation were measured and cerebral fractional tissue oxygen extraction (cFTOE) calculated for the following 3 time intervals: 3–6, 6–12, and 12–28 h of age. Functional ultrasound measures including superior vena cava flow, right ventricular output, ductus arteriosus size and shunt and anterior cerebral artery resistive index were determined. Results: The mean (±SD) gestation and birth weight of the 51 study infants were 27 ± 1 weeks and 1,046 ± 241 g respectively. Twenty infants received DCC and 31 received ICC. Baseline demographics were similar between the 2 groups. Comparing DCC and ICC infants, there was no difference in rScO₂ or cFTOE at any time point. Three out of 20 infants did not receive DCC due to clinical concerns. A sensitivity analysis revealed that cord clamping ≥30 s was significantly associated with increased rScO₂ and decreased cFTOE at all 3 time points after adjusting for gestation. Conclusion: Although DCC was not associated with changes in cerebral oxygenation overall, sensitivity analysis suggested a possible effect of an increased rScO₂ and a decreased cFTOE with ≥30 s of DCC.

Role of Heparin in Arterial Line Flushing Solution on Platelet Count and Indwelling Arterial Catheter Patency after Cardiac Valvular Surgery

Background: Heparin can cause thrombocytopenia but what is it’s effect on platelet when used in solution for flushing indwelling arterial catheter is not clear. This study was designed to find out any effect of heparin on platelet count and to see the efficacy of normal solution as flushing solution.Method:This was a prospective randomized comparative clinical trial in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases Hospital, Sher - e - Banglanagar, Dhaka,Bangladesh during the period from july 2016 to june 2017. Total sixty patients who underwent single valve replacement surgery were divided into two groups and were evaluated for heparin effect and compared for arterial catheter patency rate.Results: Platelet count on third postoperative day is 226517+- 60185/ml and 245957+-52826/ml in heparinized flush solution and normal saline flush solution group respectively. The difference of mean is not significant with p value 0.188. Arterial catheter patency rate was 50.0% in heparinized flush solution group and 43.3% in normal saline flush solution group on third postoperative day which signifies no difference between the groups with p value 0.607.Conclusion: The use of heparin in normal saline in continuous flushing devices for an arterial catheter does not significantly reduce platelet counts in cardiac valve surgery patients in comparison to normal saline. It seems that there is no difference in the use of heparinized and normal saline solutions to maintain indwelling arterial catheter patent.Bangladesh Heart Journal 2018; 33(1) : 61-66

Fluid Overload and Renal Angina Index at Admission Are Associated With Worse Outcomes in Critically Ill Children.

Objectives: We investigated the association of fluid overload and oxygenation in critically sick children, and their correlation with various outcomes (duration of ventilation, ICU stay, and mortality). We also assessed whether renal angina index (RAI) at admission can predict mortality or acute kidney injury (AKI) on day 3 after admission.Design and setting: Prospective study, pediatric intensive care in a tertiary hospital.Duration: June 2013-June 2014.Patients: Patients were included if they needed invasive mechanical ventilation for >24 h and had an indwelling arterial catheter. Patients with congenital heart disease or those who received renal replacement therapy (RRT) were excluded.Methods: Oxygenation index, fluid overload percent (daily, cumulative), RAI at admission and pediatric logistic organ dysfunction (PELOD) score were obtained in all critically ill children. KDIGO classification was used to define AKI, using both creatinine and urine output criteria. Admission data for determination of RAI included the use of vasopressors, invasive mechanical ventilation, percent fluid overload, and change in kidney function (estimated creatinine clearance). Univariable and multivariable approaches were used to assess the relations between fluid overload, oxygenation index and clinical outcomes. An RAI cutoff >8 was used to predict AKI on day 3 of admission and mortality.Results: One hundred and two patients were recruited. Fluid overload predicted oxygenation index in all patients, independent of age, gender and PELOD score (p < 0.05). Fluid overload was associated with longer duration of ventilation (p < 0.05), controlled for age, gender, and PELOD score. Day-3 AKI rates were higher in patients with a RAI of 8 or more, and higher areas under the RAI curve had better prediction rates for Day-3 AKI. An RAI <8 had high negative predictive values (80–95%) for Day-3 AKI. RAI was better than traditional markers of pediatric severity of illness (PELOD) score for prediction of AKI on day 3.Conclusions: This study emphasizes that positive fluid balance adversely affects intensive care in critically ill children. Further, the RAI prediction model may help optimize treatment and improve clinical prediction of AKI.

Reducing Ischemic Injury From Indwelling Peripheral Arterial Catheters in a Pediatric Cardiac ICU: A Quality Improvement Initiative.

To reduce the number of ischemic arterial catheter injuries in children with congenital or acquired heart disease. This is a quality improvement study with pre- and postintervention groups. University-affiliated pediatric cardiac center in a quaternary care freestanding children's hospital. All patients with an indwelling peripheral arterial catheter placed in the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Cardiac Center associated with an admission to the Cardiac Intensive Cardiac Unit from January 2015 to July 2017 are included. Patients with umbilical arterial catheters were excluded from the cohort. The rate of arterial catheter injury is reported per 1,000 catheter days. The rate of "concerning" arterial catheter assessments is reported as a percentage of catheters per month. Initial intervention replaced intermittent manual arterial catheter flushing with a continuous arterial catheter infusion system during the delivery of anesthesia. The second intervention implemented a daily arterial catheter safety assessment during cardiac ICU rounds with documentation of the assessment in the cardiac ICU daily attending progress note. Our project included 1,945 arterial catheters encompassing 7,197 catheter days. During the preintervention period, on average, 3.1 patients per month experienced an arterial catheter-related injury compared with 1.9 patients per month following intervention, a reduction of 38.7% (3.1 vs 1.9; p = 0.01). The rate of injury per 1,000 arterial catheter days was reduced from 16.7 pre intervention to 7.52 post intervention, a 55% overall reduction (16.7 vs 7.52; p = 0.0001). The rate of concerning arterial catheter nursing assessment based on our definition was reduced by 18.0% following our intervention cycles (25.5% vs 20.9%; p = 0.001) CONCLUSIONS:: Implementation of a quality improvement initiative and changing local practices reduced arterial catheter-associated harm in children with congenital and acquired heart disease requiring care in a cardiac ICU.