Dexmedetomidine Use in a Tertiary Care NICU: A Descriptive Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (5) ◽  
pp. 464-470 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deonne A. Dersch-Mills ◽  
Heidi L. Banasch ◽  
Kamran Yusuf ◽  
Alixe Howlett

Background: Continuous infusions of dexmedetomidine are increasingly used for sedation in critically ill pediatric patients. Emerging data suggest potential benefits when used for sedation in neonates, including reduced sedative requirements and earlier enteral feeds. Objective: To describe the use, adverse effects, and signs of withdrawal in a cohort of neonates receiving dexmedetomidine, the majority of whom were receiving concomitant opioids. Methods: This was a retrospective, descriptive review of 38 neonates receiving dexmedetomidine in a medical surgical neonatal intensive care unit, including data on duration of use, dose, adverse effects, weaning, and signs of withdrawal. Results: Dexmedetomidine was used for a median of 183 hours, at a median maximum dose of 0.5 µg/kg/h. Premature infants were started on dexmedetomidine at a later chronological age than term infants (41 vs 9 days, P = 0.004). Of 18 patients receiving an opioid infusion at the time of dexmedetomidine initiation, 67% had a dose reduction in opioids by 24 hours. The majority (89%) of neonates had at least 1 potentially related adverse effect during the dexmedetomidine infusion, though no discontinuations were needed as a result. In all, 80% of patients had their dexmedetomidine gradually weaned off, and 71% had at least 1 sign of withdrawal. Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort, dexmedetomidine was often used in a postsurgical setting, with concomitant opioids, over prolonged periods. These factors appear to affect and likely confound the rates of adverse effects and withdrawal signs from dexmedetomidine. Clinicians considering the use of dexmedetomidine in a similar population can draw guidance from our data.

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. e8-e9
Author(s):  
Soume Bhattacharya ◽  
Brooke Read ◽  
Michael Miller ◽  
Orlando daSilva

Abstract Primary Subject area Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Background Surfactant delivery via a thin endotracheal catheter during spontaneous breathing, a technique called minimally invasive surfactant therapy (MIST), is an alternative to intubation and surfactant administration. Procedural details among different centres vary, with marked differences in the choice of catheter to instill surfactant. Studies report use of feeding catheters, multi-access catheters, vascular catheters and, recently, custom-designed catheters for this purpose. The impact of choice of catheter on procedural success and adverse effects has not been reported. Objectives The objective of the present study was to compare the procedural success and adverse effects of MIST, using a semi-rigid vascular catheter (16G Angiocath-Hobart Method) versus a flexible multi-access catheter (MAC). Design/Methods This was a retrospective review of prospectively collected data at a tertiary care neonatal intensive care unit in southwestern Ontario. All neonates who received surfactant via MIST between May 1, 2016 and September 30, 2020 were included in the study. Relevant baseline characteristics, data on procedural details (premedication, type of catheter) were collected. The procedural success, number of attempts, and adverse effects between neonates who received MIST via MAC and 16G Angiocath were compared using a Chi Square test or Fisher’s test, as appropriate. A P value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results A total of 139 neonates received surfactant via MIST method during the study period. 93 neonates received the surfactant via MAC, while 46 received it via Angiocath. The baseline demographic characteristics in the two groups were similar (Table 1). A higher proportion of neonates in the Angiocath group received atropine (100% vs. 76%, P =.002] and fentanyl (98% vs. 36%; p<0.001) than the MAC group. The procedural success was 91% in the Angiocath group and 89% in the MAC group (p >.99). Multiple attempts were needed in 24% of neonates in the Angiocath group, and 37% in the MAC group (p=0.158). More episodes of desaturations were noted in the Angiocath group (89%) than the MAC group (69%) (P=0.012). Other rates of common adverse effects were similar between the two groups (Table 2). Conclusion The overall procedural success of MIST was similar in both catheter groups. The proportion of neonates requiring multiple attempts was lower with Angiocath use, though this difference was not statistically significant. Desaturation episodes were seen more frequently in the Angiocath group, possibly related to higher use of procedural sedation in this group.


Author(s):  
Soume Bhattacharya ◽  
Brooke Read ◽  
Michael Miller ◽  
Orlando da Silva

Objective Surfactant delivery via a thin endotracheal catheter during spontaneous breathing; a technique called minimally invasive surfactant therapy (MIST) is an alternative to intubation and surfactant administration. Procedural details among different centers vary, with marked differences in the choice of catheter to instill surfactant. Studies report use of feeding catheters, multiaccess suction catheters, vascular catheters, and more recently custom-built catheters for this purpose. The impact of choice of catheter on procedural success and procedural adverse effects has not been reported. Our present study compares the procedural success and adverse effects of MIST using a semirigid vascular catheter (16G Angiocath-Hobart Method) versus a flexible multiaccess catheter (MAC). Study Design This was a retrospective review of prospectively collected data at a tertiary care neonatal intensive care unit in Southwestern Ontario. All neonates who received surfactant via MIST between May 1, 2016 and September 30, 2020 were included in the study. Relevant baseline characteristics and data on procedural details (premedication, type of catheter, etc.) were collected. The procedural success, number of attempts, and adverse effects between neonates who received MIST via MAC and 16G Angiocath was compared by using Chi-square test or Fisher's test as appropriate. A p-value of less that 0.05 was considered significant. Results A total of 139 neonates received surfactant via MIST method during the study period. Moreover, 93 neonates received the surfactant via MAC, while 46 received it via Angiocath. The baseline demographic characteristics in the two group were similar. A higher proportion of neonates in Angiocath group received Atropine (100 vs. 76%, p = 0.002) and Fentanyl (98 vs. 36%, p < 0.001) than the MAC group.The procedural success was 91% in the Angiocath group and 89% in the MAC group (p > 0.99). Multiple attempts were needed in 24% of neonates in the Angiocath group and 37% in the MAC group (p = 0.158). More episodes of desaturations were noted in the Angiocath group (89%) than the MAC group (69%; p = 0.012). Other rates of common adverse effects were similar between the two groups. On exploratory analysis fentanyl use held significant association with less success, more desaturation, apneic episodes, and need of positive pressure ventilation /intubation. Conclusion The overall procedural success of MIST is similar in both catheter groups. The proportion of neonates requiring multiple attempts was lower with the Angiocath, though difference was not statistically significant. Desaturation episodes were seen more frequently in the Angiocath group, which was related to higher use of procedural sedation in this group. Key Points


2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher T. Campbell ◽  
Lucas Diaz ◽  
Brian Kelly

Background: Although heparin has previously been the anticoagulant of choice during mechanical circulatory support (MCS), there is a lack of consistency in dose-response in pediatric patients. Bivalirudin offers more consistent dose-response in adults; however, there are limited data for pediatrics use. Objective: The purpose was to characterize the usage, dosage, and safety profile of bivalirudin when used for pediatric MCS in a tertiary care pediatric hospital. Methods: A retrospective review of pediatric patients receiving bivalirudin for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation/ventricular assist device (ECMO/VAD) anticoagulation was conducted. The primary outcome was the average dose of bivalirudin. Additional outcomes included initial and maximum bivalirudin dose, time to first therapeutic activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), time within goal aPTT range, bleeding and clotting complications, and cost. Data were compared between ECMO and VAD patients. Results: Thirty-four patients were included. The median dose of bivalirudin was 0.37 mg/kg/h (interquartile range [IQR] = 0.21-0.56), with a maximum dose of 0.62 mg/kg/h (IQR = 0.33-0.91). VAD patients had a higher median and maximum dose as compared with ECMO patients. Patients achieved their therapeutic goal in a median of 6.1 hours and averaged 61.9% time within therapeutic aPTT. One patient had significant hemorrhage, whereas 3 patients had clotting requiring a circuit change. Bivalirudin acquisition cost was higher than heparin. Conclusion and Relevance: Bivalirudin dosing in ECMO and VAD patients is consistent with dosing seen in previous reports but may be higher in VAD patients. Comparative studies between heparin and bivalirudin are necessary to compare cost-effective outcomes for pediatric patients.


2018 ◽  
Vol 104 (3) ◽  
pp. F274-F279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas E Bachman ◽  
Christopher J L Newth ◽  
Narayan P Iyer ◽  
Patrick A Ross ◽  
Robinder G Khemani

ObjectiveDescribe the likelihood of hypoxemia and hyperoxemia across ranges of oxygen saturation (SpO2), during mechanical ventilation with supplemental oxygenation.DesignRetrospective observational study.SettingUniversity affiliated tertiary care neonatal intensive care unit.PatientsTwo groups of neonates based on postmenstrual age (PMA): <32 weeks (n=104) and >36 weeks (n=709).Main measuresHypoxemia was defined as a PaO2 <40 mm Hg, hyperoxemia as a PaO2 of >99 mm Hg and normoxemia as a PaO2 of 50–80 mm Hg. Twenty-five per cent was defined as marked likelihood of hypoxemia or hyperoxemia.ResultsFrom these infants, 18 034 SpO2–PaO2 pairs were evaluated of which 10% were preterm. The PMA (median and IQR) of the two groups were: 28 weeks (27–30) and 40 weeks (38–41). With SpO2 levels between 90% and 95%, the likelihoods of hypoxemia and hyperoxemia were low and balanced. With increasing levels of SpO2, the likelihood of hyperoxemia increased. It became marked in the preterm group when SpO2 was 99%–100% (95% CI 29% to 41%) and in the term group with SpO2 levels of 96%–98% (95% CI 29% to 32%). The likelihood of hypoxemia increased as SpO2 decreased. It became marked in both with SpO2 levels of 80%–85% (95% CI 20% to 31%, 24% to 28%, respectively).ConclusionsThe likelihood of a PaO2 <40 mm Hg is marked with SpO2 below 86%. The likelihood of a PaO2 >99 mm Hg is marked in term infants with SpO2 above 95% and above 98% in preterm infants. SpO2 levels between 90% and 95% are appropriate targets for term and preterm infants.


2021 ◽  
pp. 089719002110271
Author(s):  
Katrin Lichtsinn ◽  
Ila Sehgal ◽  
Alexandra Wilson

Introduction: Bradycardia is a known side effect of dexmedetomidine. Reports of sinus pauses or asystole, however, are rare. We present 2 cases of pediatric patients who developed asystole on a dexmedetomidine infusion. Summary of Cases: An 8-week-old male with RSV bronchiolitis and acute hypoxemic respiratory failure was started on dexmedetomidine for sedation at 0.2 mcg/kg/h with a maximum dose of 0.7mcg/kg/h. On Hospital day (HD) 4, on dexmedetomidine at 0.7 mcg/kg/h, he developed intermittent episodes of bradycardia with heart rates in the 60 s. Echocardiogram on HD 6 showed normal function. On HD 7, he began having periods of asystole lasting up to 6 seconds. Dexmedetomidine was discontinued, with the resolution of episodes of asystole after 6 hours. A 27-month-old male with a congenital left diaphragmatic hernia and pulmonary hypertension who had been weaned off sildenafil 6 months earlier underwent re-repair of left diaphragmatic hernia. Postoperatively he remained intubated and paralyzed. Dexmedetomidine was started at 0.3 mcg/kg/h for sedation, with a maximum dose of 1.2 mcg/kg/h. An echocardiogram on HD 3 showed good function with mild to moderate pulmonary hypertension. That evening, with dexmedetomidine at 1.1 mcg/kg/h, he developed a 15 second period of asystole requiring CPR. Dexmedetomidine was discontinued, and he was started on a midazolam infusion with no further episodes. Discussion: Both cases occurred in patients without cardiac conduction defects or on negative chronotropic or sympatholytic medications that have been associated with dexmedetomidine-induced asystole. We hypothesize that both episodes of asystole were due to increased patient-related vagal tone exacerbated by dexmedetomidine.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  

To determine the immunization status of pediatric patients under age of 5 years visiting pediatric department of tertiary care hospitals in South East Asia. The aim of this study was to appreciate the awareness and implementation of vaccination in pediatric patients who came into pediatric outpatient Department with presenting complain other than routine vaccination. we can also know the count of patients who do not complete their vaccination after birth. we can differentiate between vaccinated and unvaccinated patients and incidence of severe disease in both groups. Immunization is a protective process which makes a person resistant to the harmful diseases prevailing in the community, typically by vaccine administration either orally or intravenously. It is proven for controlling and eliminating many threatening diseases from the community. WHO report that licensed vaccines are available for the prevention of many infectious diseases. After the implementation of effective immunization the rate of many infectious diseases have declined in many countries of the world. South-East Asia is far behind in the immunization coverage. An estimated total coverage is 56%-88% for a fully immunized child, which is variable between countries. Also the coverage is highest for BCG and lowest for Polio.


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