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Hollander SA, Wujcik K, Schmidt J, Liu E, Lin A, Dykes J, Good J, Brown M, Rosenthal D. Home Milrinone in Pediatric Hospice Care of Children with Heart Failure. J Pain Symptom Manage 2023; 65:216-221. [PMID: 36417945 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2022.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT The symptom profile of children dying from cardiac disease, especially heart failure, differs from those with cancer and other non-cardiac conditions. Treatment with vasoactive infusions at home may be a superior therapy for symptom control for these patients, rather than traditional pain and anxiety management with morphine and benzodiazepines. OBJECTIVES We report our experience using outpatient milrinone in children receiving hospice care for end-stage heart failure. METHODS Retrospective review of a contemporary cohort of all patients at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford who were discharged on intravenous milrinone and hospice care between 2008 and 2021. Clinical data, including cardiac diagnosis, milrinone dose and route of administration, total milrinone days, symptoms reported, rehospitalization rates, concurrent therapies and complications were analyzed. RESULTS Among 8 patients, median duration of home milrinone infusion was 191 (33, 572) days with the longest support duration 1,054 days. All (100%) patients were also receiving diuretics at the time of death. Five (63%) were receiving no other pain control medications until the active phase of dying. From milrinone initiation to last outpatient assessment, a reduction in the number of patients reporting respiratory discomfort, abdominal pain, weight loss/lack of appetite, and fatigue was observed. Six (75%) died at home. CONCLUSION We used milrinone with oral diuretics effectively for symptom control in children with heart failure on palliative care. Our experience was that this combination can be used safely in the outpatient setting for long-term use without the addition of opiates, benzodiazepines, or supplemental oxygen in most cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth A Hollander
- Department of Pediatrics (Cardiology) (S.A.H., J.D., D.R.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA; Solid Organ Transplant Services (K.W., J.S.), Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford, Palo Alto, California, USA; Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension Service (E.L.), Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford, Palo Alto, California, USA; Pulmonary Hypertension Service (A.L.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA; Department of Anesthesiology (J.G.), Perioperative and Pain Medicine (and by courtesy, Pediatrics), Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA; Departments of Psychiatry & Palliative Care (M.B.), Stanford University/, Palo Alto, California, USA.
| | - Kari Wujcik
- Department of Pediatrics (Cardiology) (S.A.H., J.D., D.R.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA; Solid Organ Transplant Services (K.W., J.S.), Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford, Palo Alto, California, USA; Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension Service (E.L.), Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford, Palo Alto, California, USA; Pulmonary Hypertension Service (A.L.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA; Department of Anesthesiology (J.G.), Perioperative and Pain Medicine (and by courtesy, Pediatrics), Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA; Departments of Psychiatry & Palliative Care (M.B.), Stanford University/, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Julie Schmidt
- Department of Pediatrics (Cardiology) (S.A.H., J.D., D.R.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA; Solid Organ Transplant Services (K.W., J.S.), Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford, Palo Alto, California, USA; Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension Service (E.L.), Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford, Palo Alto, California, USA; Pulmonary Hypertension Service (A.L.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA; Department of Anesthesiology (J.G.), Perioperative and Pain Medicine (and by courtesy, Pediatrics), Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA; Departments of Psychiatry & Palliative Care (M.B.), Stanford University/, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Esther Liu
- Department of Pediatrics (Cardiology) (S.A.H., J.D., D.R.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA; Solid Organ Transplant Services (K.W., J.S.), Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford, Palo Alto, California, USA; Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension Service (E.L.), Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford, Palo Alto, California, USA; Pulmonary Hypertension Service (A.L.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA; Department of Anesthesiology (J.G.), Perioperative and Pain Medicine (and by courtesy, Pediatrics), Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA; Departments of Psychiatry & Palliative Care (M.B.), Stanford University/, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Aileen Lin
- Department of Pediatrics (Cardiology) (S.A.H., J.D., D.R.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA; Solid Organ Transplant Services (K.W., J.S.), Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford, Palo Alto, California, USA; Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension Service (E.L.), Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford, Palo Alto, California, USA; Pulmonary Hypertension Service (A.L.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA; Department of Anesthesiology (J.G.), Perioperative and Pain Medicine (and by courtesy, Pediatrics), Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA; Departments of Psychiatry & Palliative Care (M.B.), Stanford University/, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - John Dykes
- Department of Pediatrics (Cardiology) (S.A.H., J.D., D.R.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA; Solid Organ Transplant Services (K.W., J.S.), Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford, Palo Alto, California, USA; Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension Service (E.L.), Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford, Palo Alto, California, USA; Pulmonary Hypertension Service (A.L.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA; Department of Anesthesiology (J.G.), Perioperative and Pain Medicine (and by courtesy, Pediatrics), Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA; Departments of Psychiatry & Palliative Care (M.B.), Stanford University/, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Julie Good
- Department of Pediatrics (Cardiology) (S.A.H., J.D., D.R.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA; Solid Organ Transplant Services (K.W., J.S.), Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford, Palo Alto, California, USA; Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension Service (E.L.), Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford, Palo Alto, California, USA; Pulmonary Hypertension Service (A.L.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA; Department of Anesthesiology (J.G.), Perioperative and Pain Medicine (and by courtesy, Pediatrics), Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA; Departments of Psychiatry & Palliative Care (M.B.), Stanford University/, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Michelle Brown
- Department of Pediatrics (Cardiology) (S.A.H., J.D., D.R.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA; Solid Organ Transplant Services (K.W., J.S.), Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford, Palo Alto, California, USA; Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension Service (E.L.), Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford, Palo Alto, California, USA; Pulmonary Hypertension Service (A.L.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA; Department of Anesthesiology (J.G.), Perioperative and Pain Medicine (and by courtesy, Pediatrics), Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA; Departments of Psychiatry & Palliative Care (M.B.), Stanford University/, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - David Rosenthal
- Department of Pediatrics (Cardiology) (S.A.H., J.D., D.R.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA; Solid Organ Transplant Services (K.W., J.S.), Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford, Palo Alto, California, USA; Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension Service (E.L.), Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford, Palo Alto, California, USA; Pulmonary Hypertension Service (A.L.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA; Department of Anesthesiology (J.G.), Perioperative and Pain Medicine (and by courtesy, Pediatrics), Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA; Departments of Psychiatry & Palliative Care (M.B.), Stanford University/, Palo Alto, California, USA
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Hollander SA, Kaufman BD, Bui C, Gregori B, Murray JM, Sacks L, Ryan KR, Ma M, Rosenthal DN, Char D. Compassionate Deactivation of Pediatric Ventricular Assist Devices: A Review of 14 Cases. J Pain Symptom Manage 2021; 62:523-528. [PMID: 33910026 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2021.01.125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Compassionate deactivation (CD) of ventricular assist device (VAD) support is a recognized option for children when the burden of therapy outweighs the benefits. OBJECTIVES To describe the prevalence, indications, and outcomes of CD of children supported by VADs at the end of life. METHODS Review of cases of CD at our institution between 2011 and 2020. To distinguish CD from other situations where VAD support is discontinued, patients were excluded from the study if they died during resuscitation (including extracorporeal membrane oxygenation), experienced brain or circulatory death prior to deactivation, or experienced a non-survivable brain injury likely to result in imminent death regardless of VAD status. RESULTS Of 24 deaths on VAD, 14 (58%) were CD. Median age was 5.7 (interquartile range (IQR) 0.6, 11.6) years; 6 (43%) had congenital heart disease; 4 (29%) were on a device that can be used outside of the hospital. CD occurred after 40 (IQR: 26, 75) days of support; none while active transplant candidates. CD discussions were initiated by the caregiver in 6 (43%) cases, with the remainder initiated by a medical provider. Reasons for CD were multifactorial, including end-organ injury, infection, and stroke. CD occurred with endotracheal extubation and/or discontinuation of inotropes in 12 (86%) cases, and death occurred within 10 (IQR: 4, 23) minutes of CD. CONCLUSION CD is the mode of death in more than half of our VAD non-survivors and is pursued for reasons primarily related to noncardiac events. Caregivers and providers both initiate CD discussions. Ventilatory and inotropic support is often withdrawn at time of CD with ensuing death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth A Hollander
- Department of Pediatrics (Cardiology), Stanford University School of Medicine (S.A.H., B.D.K., C.B., L.S., K.R.R., D.N.R.), Palo Alto, California, USA.
| | - Beth D Kaufman
- Department of Pediatrics (Cardiology), Stanford University School of Medicine (S.A.H., B.D.K., C.B., L.S., K.R.R., D.N.R.), Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Christine Bui
- Department of Pediatrics (Cardiology), Stanford University School of Medicine (S.A.H., B.D.K., C.B., L.S., K.R.R., D.N.R.), Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Bianca Gregori
- Department of Social Work, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford (B.G.), Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Jenna M Murray
- Solid Organ Transplant Services, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford (J.M.M), Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Loren Sacks
- Department of Pediatrics (Cardiology), Stanford University School of Medicine (S.A.H., B.D.K., C.B., L.S., K.R.R., D.N.R.), Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Kathleen R Ryan
- Department of Pediatrics (Cardiology), Stanford University School of Medicine (S.A.H., B.D.K., C.B., L.S., K.R.R., D.N.R.), Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Michael Ma
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine (M.M.), Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - David N Rosenthal
- Department of Pediatrics (Cardiology), Stanford University School of Medicine (S.A.H., B.D.K., C.B., L.S., K.R.R., D.N.R.), Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Danton Char
- Department of Anesthesia, Stanford University School of Medicine (D.C.), Palo Alto, California, USA
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