Pediatric Cardiac Anesthesia Research Articles

Interrelations of Intraoperative Changes in Cerebral Tissue Oxygen Saturation with Brain Volumes and Neurodevelopment Outcome After the Comprehensive Stage II Procedure in Infants With Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome: A Retrospective Cohort Study

The monitoring of cerebral tissue oxygen saturation by near-infrared spectroscopy (ScerebO2) is used widely in pediatric cardiac anesthesia. However, little information is available on the effects of changes in perioperative ScerebO2 on brain morphology and neurologic outcome. The primary hypothesis tested in this study was that intraoperative ScerebO2 during the comprehensive stage II procedure correlated with brain volumes assessed by magnetic resonance imaging and neurodevelopmental scores. Retrospective observational cohort study. University Hospital, Pediatric Heart Centre. In 19 infants, the intraoperative course of ScerebO2 during the comprehensive stage II procedure was examined. Minimal ScerebO2 and integrated ScerebO2 below 45% (AUC) during surgery, as well as cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations and Bayley III test at the ages of two-to-three years, were analyzed. A positive correlation between minimal ScerebO2 and intracranial volume (p = 0.0243), total brain volume (p = 0.0243), and white matter volume (p = 0.0276) was observed, as was a negative correlation between AUC and intracranial volume (p = 0.0454) and white matter volume (p = 0.0381), respectively. No association was found between ScerebO2 and Bayley-III Score. The correlation between ScerebO2 and brain volumes measured by MRI pointed out a possible importance of neuroprotective strategies aimed at optimizing ScerebO2 during complex congenital heart surgery. That no correlation between ScerebO2 and Bayley III Score was found suggested multifactorial causes for neurologic outcome in children with congenital heart defects.

The "Mother of pediatric cardiac anesthesia": An interview with Dr Dolly D. Hansen, a pioneering woman in medicine.

Dr Dolly D. Hansen (1935-), Associate Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, devoted her life to improving the perioperative care of children with congenital heart disease. She applied her knowledge of cardiovascular and pulmonary physiology and the effects on anesthetic agents in children with and without heart disease into clinical practice and thereby greatly influenced the practice of pediatric anesthesia, cardiology, surgery, and critical care medicine. As an exceptional master clinician, leader, program builder, innovator, teacher, and academic role model, she shaped the careers of hundreds of fellows and young attendings, many of whom became leaders in the field.

A National Survey: Current Clinical Practice in Pediatric Anesthesia for Congenital Heart Surgery.

Providing anesthesia for pediatric patients undergoing congenital cardiac surgery is complex and requires profound knowledge and clinical experience. Prospective studies on best anesthetic management are missing, partially due to different standards. The aim of the present study was to survey the current standard practice in anesthetic management in pediatric cardiac surgical centers in Germany. All 78 cardiac surgical centers in Germany were reviewed for a congenital cardiac surgery program. Centers with an active program for congenital cardiac surgery were interviewed to participate in the present online questionnaire to assess their current anesthetic practice. Twenty-seven German centers running an active program for congenital heart surgery were identified, covering more than 3,000 pediatric cardiac surgeries annually. Of these centers, 96.3% (26/27) participated in our survey. Standard induction agents were etomidate in 26.9% (7/26), propofol in 19.2% (5/26), a combination of benzodiazepines and ketamine in 19.2% (5/26), and barbiturates in 11.5% (3/26). General anesthesia was preferentially maintained using volatile agents, 61.5% (16/26), with sevoflurane being the most common volatile agent within this group, 81.2% (13/16). Intraoperative first-choice/first-line inotropic drug was epinephrine, 53.8% (14/26), followed by milrinone, 23.1% (6/26), and dobutamine 15.4% (4/26). Fast-track programs performing on-table extubation depending on the type of surgical procedure were established at 61.5% (16/26) of the centers. This study highlights the diversity of clinical standards in pediatric cardiac anesthesia for congenital cardiac surgery in Germany.

Unusual Intra-Operative Variable Plateau Capnogram Waveform in a Patient with Critical Unilateral Pulmonary Artery Stenosis: Case Report

Surgical Medicine Open Access Journal Unusual Intra-Operative Variable Plateau Capnogram Waveform in a Patient with Critical Unilateral Pulmonary Artery Stenosis: Case Report Remie Saab1 and Surendrasingh Chhabada1,2* 1Department of Outcomes Research, USA 2Department of Pediatric Anesthesia, USA *Corresponding author: Surendrasingh Chhabada, Department of Outcome Research; Pediatric and Congenital Cardiac Anesthesia, 9500 Euclid Avenue, P21, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA Submission: January 30, 2020;Published: February 10, 2020 DOI: 10.31031/SMOAJ.2020.03.000563 ISSN 2578-0379 Volume3 Issue3

Depth of anesthesia by Narcotrend® and postoperative characteristics in children undergoing cardiac surgery under extracorporeal circulation: a retrospective comparison of two anesthetic regimens.

Depth of anesthesia may be insufficient in pediatric cardiac anesthesia if a total intravenous anesthetic regimen with opioids and midazolam is used during cardiopulmonary bypass. The advantages of sevoflurane-based balanced anesthesia may be (1) a more graduated regulation of the depth of anesthesia during cardiopulmonary bypass and (2) a reduction in postoperative ventilation time for children in comparison with total intravenous anesthesia. To evaluate a possibly positive effect of sevoflurane-based balanced anesthesia in children undergoing cardiac surgery we analyzed whether this anesthetic regimen had a significant effect related to (1) depth of anesthesia, (2) the need for opioids during cardiopulmonary bypass as well as on postoperative characteristics such as (3) time of postoperative ventilation, and (4) duration of stay in the intensive care unit in comparison with total intravenous anesthesia. In a retrospective analysis, data from heart-lung machine protocols from 2013 to 2016 were compared according to anesthetic regimen (sevoflurane-balanced anesthesia, n = 70 vs. total intravenous anesthesia, n = 65). Children (age: 8 weeks to 14 years) undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass were included. As a primary outcome measure, we compared Narcotrend® system-extracted data to detect insufficient phases of anesthetic depth during extracorporeal circulation under moderate hypothermia. Postoperatively, we measured the postoperative ventilation time and the number of days in the intensive care unit. Furthermore, we analyzed patients' specific characteristics such as opioid consumption during cardiopulmonary bypass. Regression analysis relating primary objectives was done using the following variables: anesthetic regimen, age, severity of illness/surgery, and cumulative dosage of opiates during cardiopulmonary bypass. No significant differences were observed in descriptive patient characteristics (age, body weight, height, and body temperature) between the two groups. Further, no significant differences were found in depth of anesthesia by analyzing phases of superficial B1-C2-electroencephalography Narcotrend® data. No marked difference between the groups was observed for the duration of postoperative intensive care unit stay. However, the postoperative ventilation time (median (95% CI, hours)) was significantly lower in the sevoflurane-based balanced anesthesia group (6.0 (2.0-15.0)) than in the total intravenous anesthesia group (13.5 (7.0-25)). A higher dosage of opioids and midazolam was required in the total intravenous anesthesia group to maintain adequate anesthesia during cardiopulmonary bypass. Regression analysis showed an additional, significant impact of the following factors: severity of illness and severity grade of cardiac surgery (according to Aristotle) on the primary endpoint. In children undergoing cardiac surgery in our department, the use of sevoflurane-balanced anesthesia during cardiopulmonary bypass showed no superiority of inhalational agents over total intravenous anesthesia with opioids and benzodiazepines preventing phases of superficial anesthesia, but a marked advantage for the postoperative ventilation time compared with total intravenous anesthesia.

The Congenital Cardiac Anesthesia Society-Society of Thoracic Surgeons Cardiac Anesthesia Database Collaboration.

Multi-institutional databases and registries have proliferated over the last decade in all specialties of medicine. They may be especially helpful in low-frequency/high-acuity fields such as pediatric and congenital heart diseases. The Society of Thoracic Surgeon's Congenital Heart Surgery Database (STSCHSD) is the largest single data set for the congenital heart disease population and includes contemporaneous data from over 120 programs in the United States (and several outside of the United States), capturing greater than 98% of the congenital cardiac surgical procedures in the United States. In 2010, the Congenital Cardiac Anesthesia Society partnered with the STSCHSD to incorporate anesthesia-related elements into the data set. Voluntary site participation in the anesthesia data has grown steadily. Currently, over 60 sites performing more than 60% of cardiac bypass procedures in the STSCHSD are submitting anesthesia data annually into the STSCHSD. Anesthesia data include perioperative medication usage, modalities for hemodynamic and neurologic monitoring, blood product, antifibrinolytic and procoagulant use, and anesthesia-related adverse events. This special article provides a descriptive summary of relevant findings to date, reflecting the wide variety in anesthesia practice patterns present among institutions and illustrates the functionality of a multisite registry in pediatric cardiac anesthesia which can be utilized both locally and nationally.

Challenges in Pediatric Cardiac Anesthesia in Developing Countries.

Introduction: Approximately 90% of a million children worldwide born with congenital heart defect do not have an access to adequate pediatric cardiac care. The World Society for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery, established in 2006 shifted the focus from providing individual pediatric cardiac care to developing global standards for the practice of pediatric cardiac surgery and professional education of the local teams.Materials and Methods: After recognizing the challenges of the local team regarding providing safe anesthesia and functioning as a broader team, we have focused our education on simplifying anesthetic procedures and advancing structured team approach. The appropriate selection of patients and simplifying anesthetic technique should be the standard of care. We introduced structured approach to daily education using just in time teaching, case based discussions and simple skill training simulation sessions. Furthermore, we enhanced team-training approach applying tools such as WHO surgical safety checklist and implementation manual, SAFE communication, introducing KDD with SMART aim, SCAMPs, advanced protocols of care and culture change tools.Results: Following a significant number of short missions to developing centers we have, within NGO, succeeded to support building and maintaining several local pediatric cardiac centers with structured approach to anesthesia and team building.Conclusion: The appropriate selection of patients is one of the most important contributing factors for decreasing morbidity and mortality rate in pediatric cardiac surgery patients. The anesthesia technique for pediatric cardiac procedures should be aimed at fast-track surgery, with early extubation as a goal. Regional blocks such as paravertebral and caudal should be considered for perioperative pain control. By introducing structured approach to daily education and by enhancing team-training approach we have contributed evolving sustainable pediatric cardiac centers in developing countries.

P01-3 - Multicenter survey on the practice of ultra-fast track anaesthesia in paediatric cardiac surgery

Ultra-fast track extubation (defined as On table extubation [OTE] of the patient in the operating room) has been advocated in adults, with however controversial effects on outcomes. [1,2] We aimed to assess a current status of strategies for post-operative extubation in paediatric patients undergoing surgery for congenital heart disease in different countries. The principal goals of the survey were to describe global practice for fast track paediatric cardiac anaesthesia including OTE and to learn from international experience of OTE practice.

Multicenter International Survey on the Clinical Practice of Ultra-Fast-Track Anesthesia with On-Table Extubation in Pediatric Congenital Cardiac Surgery

To describe global practices for on-table extubation (OTE) in pediatric cardiac anesthesia in European and non-European countries. Multiple-choice, web-based survey with 34 questions addressing organizational data, existence of OTE programs,inclusion and exclusion criteria for OTE, and intraoperative and immediate postoperative management. Online survey endorsed by the European Association of Cardiothoracic Anesthesiologists. Anesthesiologists departments in European and non-European pediatric cardiac surgical centers. None. The survey was sent to 144 pediatric cardiac surgical centers in 29 countries as a web-based questionnaire. Addressees were pediatric cardiac anesthesiologists who were members of European Association of Cardiothoracic Anesthesiologists or were known to the authors. The response rate was 63%. Fifty percent of the respondents were practicing in university hospitals. The survey demonstrated that 76% of the respondents practiced OTE, with 50% of the pediatric cardiac anesthesiologists regularly performing OTE in different proportions, ranging from 1 to 51% of on-pump pediatric cardiac surgeries. Seventy-seven percent of respondents made their decision to perform OTE on an individual case-by-case basis. Seventy-eight percent of the congenital cardiac lesions deemed eligible for OTE fell into Risk Adjustment for Congenital Heart Surgery-1 categories 1 and 2. In patients for whom OTE was planned, anesthesia primarily was maintained using a combined inhalational and intravenous technique. The main reasons not to perform OTE were that it was deemed to provide no major advantage (45%), to be dangerous (9%), or to decrease operating room efficiency by increasing operating room turnover time (36%). The survey demonstrated that the majority of the approached pediatric cardiac anesthesiologists practice OTE regularly in pediatric cardiac surgery. Frequency of OTE and inclusion criteria vary widely. The observations made in this survey should prompt appropriately powered, randomized controlled clinical trials to examine the effect of OTE on various effectiveness and safety outcomes.

Corticosteroids and Other Anti-Inflammatory Strategies in Pediatric Heart Surgery: A National Survey of Practice.

The role of steroids to mitigate the deleterious effects of pediatric cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) remains a matter of debate; therefore, we aimed to assess preferences in administering corticosteroids (CSs) and the use of other anti-inflammatory strategies in pediatric cardiac surgery. A 19-question survey was distributed to consultants in pediatric cardiac anesthesia from 12 centers across the United Kingdom and Ireland. Of the 37 respondents (37/60, 62%), 24 (65%) use CSs, while 13 (35%) do not use steroids at all. We found variability within 5 (41%) of the 12 centers. Seven consultants (7/24, 29%) administer CSs in every case, while 17 administer CSs in selected cases only (17/24, 71%). There was variability in the dose of steroid administration. Almost all consultants (23/24, 96%) administer a single dose at induction, and one administers a two-dose regimen (1/24, 4%). There was variability in CS indications. Most consultants (24/37, 66%) use modified ultrafiltration at the conclusion of CPB. Fifteen consultants (15/32, 47%) report the use of aprotinin, while only 3 use heparin-coated circuits (3/24, 9%). We found wide variability in practice in the administration of CSs for pediatric cardiac surgery, both within and between units. While most anesthetists administer CSs in at least some cases, there is no consensus on the type of steroid, the dose, and at which patient groups this should be directed. Modified ultrafiltration is still used by most of the centers. Almost half of consultants use aprotinin, while heparin-coated circuits are infrequently used.

Consensus Statement by the Congenital Cardiac Anesthesia Society: Milestones for the Pediatric Cardiac Anesthesia Fellowship.

Pediatric cardiac anesthesiology has evolved as a subspecialty of both pediatric and cardiac anesthesiology and is devoted to caring for individuals with congenital heart disease ranging in age from neonates to adults. Training in pediatric cardiac anesthesia is a second-year fellowship with variability in both training duration and content and is not accredited by the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education. Consequently, in this article and based on the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education Milestones Model, an expert panel of the Congenital Cardiac Anesthesia Society, a section of the Society of Pediatric Anesthesiology, defines 18 milestones as competency-based developmental outcomes for training in the pediatric cardiac anesthesia fellowship.

Outstanding contribution to pediatric anesthesiology: An interview with Dr. Robert H. Friesen.

Dr. Robert H. Friesen, (1946-) Professor of Anesthesiology, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, has played a pivotal and pioneering role in the development of pediatric and congenital cardiac anesthesiology. His transformative research included the study of the hemodynamic effects of inhalational and intravenous anesthetic agents in the newborn and the effects of anesthetic agents on pulmonary vascular resistance in patients with pulmonary hypertension. As a model clinician-scientist, educator, and administrator, he changed the practice of pediatric anesthesia and shaped the careers of hundreds of physicians-in-training, imbuing them with his core values of honesty, integrity, and responsibility. Based on a series of interviews with Dr. Friesen, this article reviews a career that advanced pediatric and congenital cardiac anesthesia during the formative years of the specialties.

The provision of pediatric cardiac anesthesia services in Germany: current status of structural and personnel organization.

Anesthesia for pediatric cardiac surgery requires a high level of expert knowledge. There are currently no recommendations and standards for anesthetic management for congenital cardiac surgery in Germany. The aim of the present study was to assess the current status of structural and personnel anesthetic standards at pediatric cardiac surgery centers in Germany. All cardiac surgical centers in Germany were reviewed for an active program for congenital heart surgery. Centers with an active program were invited to respond to an online survey. The questionnaire containing 55 items in 16 categories assessed current practice in pediatric cardiac anesthesia. An active program for pediatric cardiac surgery was identified at 27 centers. The response rate to the survey was 96.3%. A specialized group of anesthesiologists for pediatric cardiac anesthesia was reported from 26 centers (92.3%). The mean size of this group was 4.8 anesthesiologists per center. However, the annual case load of centers and relative annual case load per specialized anesthesiologist varied considerably between 12.5 and 250. Nonanesthesiologists performed sedation and general anesthesia for diagnostic and therapeutic interventions outside the operating theater in children with congenital heart diseases in 24 centers (77%). Although special equipment, for example, pediatric TEE, near-infrared spectroscopy, and devices for mechanical auto transfusion were available in most centers, their routine use was not always part of standard operating procedures. The proposal for mean adequate training in pediatric cardiac anesthesia as estimated by the participating centers was 10.8months. The present study represents the current structural situation for anesthesia at German pediatric cardiac surgery centers.

Current use of factor concentrates in pediatric cardiac anesthesia.

Excessive bleeding following pediatric cardiopulmonary bypass is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, both from the effects of hemorrhage and the therapies employed to achieve hemostasis. Neonates and infants are especially at risk because their coagulation systems are immature, surgeries are often complex, and cardiopulmonary bypass technologies are inappropriately matched to patient size and physiology. Consequently, these young children receive substantial amounts of adult-derived blood products to restore adequate hemostasis. Adult and pediatric data demonstrate associations between blood product transfusions and adverse patient outcomes. Thus, efforts to limit bleeding after pediatric cardiopulmonary bypass and minimize allogeneic blood product exposure are warranted. The off-label use of factor concentrates, such as fibrinogen concentrate, recombinant activated factor VII, and prothrombin complex concentrates, is increasing as these hemostatic agents appear to offer several advantages over conventional blood products. However, recognizing that these agents have the potential for both benefit and harm, well-designed studies are needed to enhance our knowledge and to determine the optimal use of these agents. In this review, our primary objective was to examine the evidence regarding the use of factor concentrates to treat bleeding after pediatric CPB and identify where further research is required. PubMed, MEDLINE/OVID, The Cochrane Library and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) were systematically searched to identify existing studies.

Training residents and fellows in paediatric cardiac anaesthesia.

The significant increase in complex anaesthetic care for infants, children, adolescents, and adults with CHD has given rise to specialized fellowship training programs. Specialized paediatric cardiac anaesthesia training for residents and fellows has advanced significantly since the 1970's, when there a handful of programs. With the advent of formal paediatric anaesthesia fellowship programs in the U.S., more specialized training became available in the 1990's and early 2000's. In the past decade, increasing numbers of second year advanced fellowships in paediatric cardiac anaesthesia have been organized; today in North America there are 18 programs with 25 positions. Standardized recommendations for case numbers and curriculum have been devised and are widely available via journal publications.

Guidelines on transfusion for fetuses, neonates and older children.

Guidelines on transfusion for fetuses, neonates and older children.

Landmark papers in pediatric cardiac anesthesia: documenting the history of the specialty.

Pediatric cardiac anesthesia has developed over the past eight decades into a specialty delivering complex clinical care and contributing remarkable scientific progress. The history of this development can be traced through journal articles that mark the strides of the specialty. This article discusses journal articles, chosen by the author, that he considers had a significant impact on the practice of pediatric cardiac anesthesia or are of historical interest.

Abstract PR280

Background & Objectives: Central venous catheters (CVCs) are necessary for pediatric cardiac anesthesia, and malposition of these can lead to various complications (e.g., cardiac perforation, cardiac tamponade, inaccurate central venous pressure). The CVC tip should ideally be placed above the superior vena cava-right atrial junction. However, positioning the CVC tip properly, especially in small children, is difficult. We assumed that the puncture site (lower or higher part of the neck) affects depth of CVC, especially in infants. So, we examined the distance from puncture site to inferior border of clavicle as an anatomic landmark for determining the optimal CVC depth in infants. Materials & Methods: Consecutive infants in whom central catheters were inserted in the right internal jugular vein from December 2012 to November 2015 were evaluated retrospectively. After obtaining hospital IRB approval and informed consent, 32 infants undergoing surgery for congenital heart disease were enrolled in this study. Central venous catheterization was performed under real-time echo guidance. The distance between the insertion point of needle and inferior border of clavicle was measured perpendicularly using a sterile disposable ruler. The insertion depth of CVC was determined by adding 1-2 cm to the distance from the puncture site to inferior border clavicle depending on the patients’ physique. The longitudinal distance between the carina and the CVC tip was measured using chest radiography. We determined the ideal position of the tip of CVC was 1 cm above the carina, as the carina is 0.2-1.0 cm above the pericardial reflection in small children1). For ideal insertion depth of CVC, we calculated the difference between actual and ideal CVC tip position. Demographic data are presented as median (range). Simple linear regression analysis was performed using the least-squares method. Results: The median (range) demographics are as follows: age, 4 months (2 days-11 months); height 61 cm (40-71 cm); weight, 5.6 kg (2-8.4 kg). The optimal insertion depth of CVC showed higher correlation with distance from skin puncture site to the inferior border of the clavicle (r = 0.83 than the patient’s height (r = 0.48) and weight (r = 0.47). According to our results, insertion depth could be predicted using the formula: insertion depth (mm) = 14.4 + 0.96 × (distance from puncture site to inferior border clavicle) Conclusion: We determined that the distance between the insertion point of needle and inferior border of clavicle is useful to determine appropriate insertion depth of CVC in infants and is a practical surface landmark for determining the insertion depth of CVC in infants.

Paediatric cardiac anaesthesia in sickle cell disease: a case series

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common inherited haematological disorder, producing a mutation of the haemoglobin molecule known as haemoglobin S (HbS). The presence of HbS in the erythrocyte makes it prone to sickling — a process that may lead to vaso-occlusive injury, haemolysis and a hypercoagulable state. Sickling is precipitated by dehydration, hypoxia, hypothermia, acidosis and low flow situations. Over time, multi-organ damage develops with significant morbidity and mortality.Paediatric patients with SCD and congenital heart defects may require anaesthesia for corrective cardiac surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). During the perioperative period these high-risk patients may suffer significant complications when exposed to the conditions that favour erythrocyte sickling.This case series details experience of four paediatric patients with SCD who underwent corrective cardiac surgery at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital. The pathophysiology is discussed and the perioperative manage...

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