Management of routine postoperative pain for children undergoing cardiac surgery: a Paediatric Acute Care Cardiology Collaborative Clinical Practice Guideline

Impact of Nurse-Driven Analgesia and Sedation Protocols on Medication Exposure and Withdrawal in Critically Ill Children: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

The administration of analgesia and sedation is essential for patients admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU). However, over-sedation can cause side effects, including iatrogenic withdrawal syndrome (IWS). The use of nurse-led analgesia and sedation protocols may improve patient outcomes.

AIM

The primary aim of this systematic review was to determine whether the use of such protocols can reduce opioid and benzodiazepine doses. Secondary outcome measures included documentation of pain and sedation scores, incidence of IWS, duration of mechanical ventilation (MV) and PICU/hospital length of stay (LOS).

STUDY DESIGN

A systematic review of the literature was conducted, searching several databases, including CINAHL, MEDLINE, Academic Search Complete and Cochrane Library. Pertinent articles were selected according to pre-determined eligibility criteria. The internal validity of included studies was assessed using validated critical appraisal tools for quantitative research from the Cochrane Library. Narrative synthesis was utilised for data analysis due to the heterogeneity of study characteristics.

RESULTS

Nurse-led protocolised sedation significantly reduced the administered doses of benzodiazepines and the incidence of IWS. Moreover, the use of protocols significantly improved the documentation of pain and sedation scores across included studies. No significant difference in opioid use, duration of MV, and PICU/hospital LOS has been found. However, sub-group analyses for duration of MV and PICU/hospital LOS showed positive results in older children and those post-cardiac surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Nurse-driven analgesia and sedation protocols can reduce over-sedation and IWS in critically ill children. Further studies should explore the use of protocols in patient sub-groups where positive results have been reported.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Nurse-led analgesia and sedation protocols in PICU can improve outcomes and reduce costs. Effective implementation requires training and audits to boost nurses' confidence and autonomy.

A qualitative needs assessment of early participants in an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery program in CHD

Although medical advancements have improved the mortality of CHD, morbidity still exists, impacting patient quality of life. Returning to baseline in the early surgical recovery phase is an area of potential improvement. This preliminary project aims to qualitatively understand CHD family perspectives concerning the immediate postoperative recovery phase. The participating patients enrolled in the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery program, a postsurgical symptom management tool utilised in adult centres and broadening into pediatrics. Twenty-three of 27 contacted families answered open-ended questions 1 to 3 months postoperatively regarding difficulties experienced during their first week home. They reviewed a list of symptoms including: difficulties with pain, nausea, activity, sleep, appetite, bowel or urinary systems, and taking medications. A qualitative thematic analysis was performed with the open responses, as well as a quantitative assessment of the types of issues that made recovery challenging. Participants struggled most with sleep (78%), returning to activity (70%), and pain (57%). Open-ended responses suggested that an inability to do daily activities, sleep (frequently impacted by pain), and inadequate resources most negatively impacted recovery. Given these findings, investigating postoperative sleep regimens and effective pain plan components may prove useful, in addition to the further development of early mobility programs. The positive and negative experiences highlighting the desire for readily available medical guidance enforce the need for open communication between families and team members, potentially aided by digital tools. Ultimately, further data could support the development of a standardised protocol to better the immediate postoperative quality of life for CHD families.

The Complex Interplay of Variables in Extubation Decision-Making Following Pediatric Cardiac Surgery: A Narrative Review

Pediatric cardiac surgery poses significant challenges in developing countries, where a considerable number of children require intervention for congenital heart disease (CHD). The utilization of endotracheal intubation and anesthesia is pivotal in conducting surgical or angiography procedures on patients with CHD exhibiting diverse anatomical and hemodynamic characteristics. The decision to extubate pediatric patients following cardiac surgery remains a crucial element of postoperative care. This article explores the complexities surrounding extubation decision-making in this population, emphasizing the critical role of surgical, physiological, and postoperative factors. Various preoperative and intraoperative factors influence the timing of extubation. Early extubation is increasingly prevalent, offering benefits like reduced length of stay and minimized drug exposure. Multidisciplinary collaboration and protocol-driven strategies contribute to improved extubation outcomes, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach in pediatric cardiac surgery. Future research can focus on the implementation and efficacy of standardized extubation procedures involving collaboration among healthcare experts.

The Year in Review: Anesthesia for Congenital Heart Disease 2022

This review focuses on the literature published during the calendar year 2022 that is of interest to anesthesiologists taking care of children and adults with congenital heart disease (CHD). Four major themes are discussed: enhanced recovery after surgery(ERAS); diversity, equity, and inclusion; the state of pediatric cardiac anesthesiology as a subspecialty in the United States; and neuromonitoring for pediatric cardiac surgery.