One-year safe use of the Prismaflex HF20(®) disposable set in infants in 220 renal replacement treatment sessions

Wind power prediction using stacking and transfer learning

As countries focus more on renewable energy, especially wind power, predicting wind power output accurately is crucial for managing power grids and saving costs. This paper presents a new method for ultra-short-term wind power prediction using a combination of Stacking and Transfer Learning. To improve accuracy, we first reduce the data dimensions using PCA. Then, we use several models like LSTM, BiLSTM, GRU, BiGRU, and LSTM-Attention as base learners. These models are combined using a Stacking ensemble model. We also use Transfer Learning to share trained models between tasks, which helps improve performance. Tests with real data from a wind farm show that our method is more accurate than single models.

Citrate anticoagulation and systemic heparin anticoagulation during continuous renal replacement therapy among critically-ill children

BAKCGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of citrate versus heparin anticoagulation for CRRT in critically-ill children.

METHODS

This retrospective comparative cohort reviewed the clinical records of critically-ill children undergoing CRRT with either RCA or systemic heparin anticoagulation. The primary outcome measure was hemofilter survival time. Secondary outcomes included the comparison of complications and metabolic disorders.

RESULTS

A total of 131 patients (55 RCA and 76 systemic heparin) were included, in which a cumulative number of 280 hemofilters were used (115 in RCA with 5762 h total CRRT time, and 165 in systemic heparin with 6230 h total CRRT time). Hemofilter survival was significantly longer for RCA (51.0 h; IQR: 24-67 h) compared to systemic heparin (29.5 h; IQR, 17-48 h) (p = 0.002). Clotting-related hemofilter failure occurred in 9.6% of the RCA group compared to 19.6% in the systemic heparin group (p = 0.038). Citrate accumulation occurred in 4 (3.5%) of 115 RCA sessions. Hypocalcemia and metabolic alkalosis episodes were significantly more frequent in RCA recipients (35.7% vs 15.2%, p < 0.0001; 33.0% vs 19.4%, p = 0.009).

CONCLUSION

RCA is a safe and effective anticoagulation method for CRRT in critically-ill children and it prolongs hemofilter survival.

IMPACT

RCA is superior to systemic heparin for the prolongation of circuit survival (overall and for clotting-related loss) during CRRT. These data indicate that RCA can be used to maximize the effective delivery of CRRT in critically-ill patients admitted to the PICU. There are potential cost-saving implications from our results owing to benefits such as less circuit downtime and fewer circuit changes.

Continuous renal replacement therapy in neonates and children: what does the pediatrician need to know? An overview from the Critical Care Nephrology Section of the European Society of Paediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care (ESPNIC)

Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is the preferred method for renal support in critically ill and hemodynamically unstable children in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) as it allows for gentle removal of fluids and solutes. The most frequent indications for CRRT include acute kidney injury (AKI) and fluid overload (FO) as well as non-renal indications such as removal of toxic metabolites in acute liver failure, inborn errors of metabolism, and intoxications and removal of inflammatory mediators in sepsis. AKI and/or FO are common in critically ill children and their presence is associated with worse outcomes. Therefore, early recognition of AKI and FO is important and timely transfer of patients who might require CRRT to a center with institutional expertise should be considered. Although CRRT has been increasingly used in the critical care setting, due to the lack of standardized recommendations, wide practice variations exist regarding the main aspects of CRRT application in critically ill children.     Conclusion: In this review, from the Critical Care Nephrology section of the European Society of Paediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care (ESPNIC), we summarize the key aspects of CRRT delivery and highlight the importance of adequate follow up among AKI survivors which might be of relevance for the general pediatric community. What is Known: • CRRT is the preferred method of renal support in critically ill and hemodynamically unstable children in the PICU as it allows for gentle removal of fluids and solutes. • Although CRRT has become an important and integral part of modern pediatric critical care, wide practice variations exist in all aspects of CRRT. What is New: • Given the lack of literature on guidance for a general pediatrician on when to refer a child for CRRT, we recommend timely transfer to a center with institutional expertise in CRRT, as both worsening AKI and FO have been associated with increased mortality. • Adequate follow-up of PICU patients with AKI and CRRT is highlighted as recent findings demonstrate that these children are at increased risk for adverse long-term outcomes.

Kidney Support in Children using an Ultrafiltration Device: A Multicenter, Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Provision of kidney replacement therapy (KRT) to manage kidney injury and volume overload in critically ill neonates and small children is technically challenging. The use of machines designed for adult-sized patients, necessitates large catheters, a high extracorporeal volume relative to patient size, and need for blood priming. The Aquadex FlexFlow System (CHF Solutions Inc., Eden Prairie, MN) is an ultrafiltration device designed for fluid removal in adults with diuretic resistant heart failure. It has an extracorporeal volume of 33 ml, which can potentially mitigate some complications seen at onset of KRT in smaller infants.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS

In this multicenter, retrospective case series of children who received KRT with an ultrafiltration device (n=119 admissions, 884 circuits), we report demographics, circuit characteristics, complications, and short- and long-term outcomes. Patients were grouped according to weight (<10, 10-20, and >20 kg), and received one of three modalities: slow continuous ultrafiltration, continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH), or prolonged intermittent KRT. Our primary outcome was survival to end of KRT.

RESULTS

Treatment patterns and outcomes varied between the groups. In patients who weighed <10 kg, the primary indication was AKI in 40%, volume overload in 46%, and ESKD in 14%. These patients primarily received CVVH (66%, n=48) and prolonged intermittent KRT (21%, n=15). In the group weighing >20 kg, volume overload was the primary indication in 91% and slow continuous ultrafiltration was the most common modality. Patients <10 kg had lower KRT survival than those >20 kg (60% versus 97%), more volume overload at onset, and received KRT for a longer duration. Cardiovascular complications at initiation were seen in 3% of treatments and none were severe. Complications during therapy were seen in 15% treatments and most were vascular access-related.

CONCLUSIONS

We report the first pediatric experience using an ultrafiltration device to provide a range of therapies, including CVVH, prolonged intermittent KRT, and slow continuous ultrafiltration. We were able to initiate KRT with minimal complications, particularly in critically ill neonates. There is an unmet need for devices specifically designed for younger patients. Having size-appropriate machines will improve the care of smaller children who require kidney support.

Pediatric continuous renal replacement: 20 years later

INTRODUCTION

More than 20 years have passed since the first clinical application of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) in children. In that revolutionary era, before roller pumps and dialysis monitors for intensive care units were readily available, continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration was the most common treatment for critically ill children.

MAJOR FINDINGS

Those steps were the basis for current knowledge about modern CRRT. Research on circuit rheology and filter materials allowed for the improvement of materials, and the optimization of patency and session life spans. Hemofiltration was coupled with dialysis to increase dialytic dose and system efficiency. Several systems were required to optimize ultrafiltration and manage fluid overload. A quarter of a century later, another revolution is taking place. Acute renal failure has been recognized as a threatening syndrome, independently associated with mortality in critically ill children and characterized by a broad spectrum of clinical phenotypes. For this reason, it has been redefined as acute kidney injury (AKI). This condition is today accurately classified in both adults and children, and has been identified as a primary condition for prevention and aggressive treatment in all pediatric intensive care unit patients. Critically ill neonates and children with multiple organ dysfunction are certainly at higher risk of AKI. Finally, novel technology specifically dedicated to pediatric patients allows feasible and easy application of CRRT to infants and children: a new field of critical care nephrology, dedicated to pediatric patients, has been fully developed.

CONCLUSION

After 20 years, significant developments in critical care nephrology have taken place. Clinical and technical issues have both been addressed, and severe pediatric AKI can currently be managed with accurate and safe dialysis machines that will likely warrant outcome improvements over the following decade.

Renal replacement therapy in neonates

The incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) has steadily increased in the last decade in neonates and infants. Despite the extensive proposed pharmacologic approaches to treat or prevent AKI, renal replacement therapy is the only available therapeutic approach to manage the consequences of significant AKI and maintain electrolyte homeostasis and fluid balance in infants with AKI. The objective of this article is to summarize the different approaches and modalities of renal replacement therapy in neonatal intensive care units.

Development of an accurate fluid management system for a pediatric continuous renal replacement therapy device

Acute kidney injury is common in critically ill children, and renal replacement therapies provide a life-saving therapy to a subset of these children. However, there is no Food and Drug Administration-approved device to provide pediatric continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). Consequently, clinicians adapt approved adult CRRT devices for use in children because of lack of safer alternatives. Complications occur using adult CRRT devices in children because of inaccurate fluid balance (FB) between the volumes of ultrafiltrate (UF) removed and replacement fluid (RF) delivered. We demonstrate the design and validation of a pediatric fluid management system for obtaining accurate instantaneous and cumulative FB. Fluid transport was achieved via multiple novel pulsatile diaphragm pumps. The conservation of volume principle leveraging the physical property of fluid incompressibility along with mechanical coupling via a crankshaft was used for FB. Accuracy testing was conducted in vitro for 8 hour long continuous operation of the coupled UF and RF pumps. The mean cumulative FB error was <1% across filtration flows from 300 to 3000 ml/hour. This approach of FB control in a pediatric-specific CRRT device would represent a significant accuracy improvement over currently used clinical implementations.

Use of HF20 membrane in critically ill unstable low-body-weight infants on inotropic support

BACKGROUND

Initiating continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) in infants exposes them to the dual hemodynamic challenges of high circuit extracorporeal volumes and potential membrane reactions, in the case of acrylonitrile AN69 membranes. The use of the new Prismaflex HF20 membrane in hemodynamically unstable low-body-weight infants on inotropic support has not been reported.

TREATMENT

We describe the use of the HF20 (Gambro Lundia AB, Lund, Sweden) membrane in four low-body-weight infants (2.3 to 5.4 kg) with multi-organ dysfunction syndrome who were critically ill in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), hemodynamically unstable, and on inotropes. We were able to achieve target volume loss in all infants without compromising their hemodynamic status. Mean arterial pressures were maintained between 39 and 57 mmHg. The relatively low circuit volume of the HF20 set (60 ml) obviated the need for blood prime in the majority; however, when blood prime was required, there was no adverse reaction with the polyarylethersulfone (PAES) membrane. Solute clearance in these small infants was efficient with correction of metabolic acidosis and electrolyte abnormalities. Excellent circuit lifespan (56.3 ± 32.3 h) was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

CRRT using the HF20 membrane is safe and hemodynamically well tolerated in high-risk, unstable low-body-weight infants with cardiac dysfunction on multiple inotropes.

Continuous renal replacement therapy for children ≤10 kg: a report from the prospective pediatric continuous renal replacement therapy registry

OBJECTIVE

To report circuit characteristics and survival analysis in children weighing ≤10 kg enrolled in the Prospective Pediatric Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (ppCRRT) Registry.

STUDY DESIGN

We conducted prospective cohort analysis of the ppCRRT Registry to: (1) evaluate survival differences in children ≤10 kg compared with other children; (2) determine demographic and clinical differences between surviving and non-surviving children ≤10 kg; and (3) describe continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) circuit characteristics differences in children ≤5 kg versus 5-10 kg.

RESULTS

The ppCRRT enrolled 84 children ≤10 kg between January 2001 and August 2005 from 13 US tertiary centers. Children ≤10 kg had lower survival rates than children >10 kg (36/84 [43%] versus 166/260 [64%]; P < .001). In children ≤10 kg, survivors were more likely to have fewer days in intensive care unit prior to CRRT, lower Pediatric Risk of Mortality 2 scores at intensive care unit admission and lower mean airway pressure (P(aw)), higher urine output, and lower percent fluid overload (FO) at CRRT initiation. Adjusted regression analysis revealed that Pediatric Risk of Mortality 2 scores, FO, and decreased urine output were associated with mortality. Compared with circuits from children 5-10 kg at CRRT initiation, circuits from children ≤5 kg more commonly used blood priming for initiation, heparin anticoagulation, and higher blood flows/effluent flows for body weight.

CONCLUSION

Mortality is more common in children who are ≤10 kg at the time of CRRT initiation. Like other CRRT populations, urine output and FO at CRRT initiation are independently associated with mortality. CRRT prescription differs in small children.