Prone positioning of pediatric patients with ARDS results in improvement in oxygenation if maintained > 12 h daily

Understanding clinical and biological heterogeneity to advance precision medicine in paediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome

Paediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome (PARDS) is a heterogeneous clinical syndrome that is associated with high rates of mortality and long-term morbidity. Factors that distinguish PARDS from adult acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) include changes in developmental stage and lung maturation with age, precipitating factors, and comorbidities. No specific treatment is available for PARDS and management is largely supportive, but methods to identify patients who would benefit from specific ventilation strategies or ancillary treatments, such as prone positioning, are needed. Understanding of the clinical and biological heterogeneity of PARDS, and of differences in clinical features and clinical course, pathobiology, response to treatment, and outcomes between PARDS and adult ARDS, will be key to the development of novel preventive and therapeutic strategies and a precision medicine approach to care. Studies in which clinical, biomarker, and transcriptomic data, as well as informatics, are used to unpack the biological and phenotypic heterogeneity of PARDS, and implementation of methods to better identify patients with PARDS, including methods to rapidly identify subphenotypes and endotypes at the point of care, will drive progress on the path to precision medicine.

Pulmonary Specific Ancillary Treatment for Pediatric Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: From the Second Pediatric Acute Lung Injury Consensus Conference

OBJECTIVES

We conducted an updated review of the literature on pulmonary-specific ancillary therapies for pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome (PARDS) to provide an update to the Pediatric Acute Lung Injury Consensus Conference recommendations and statements about clinical practice and research.

DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (Elsevier), and CINAHL Complete (EBSCOhost).

STUDY SELECTION

Searches were limited to children, PARDS or hypoxic respiratory failure and overlap with pulmonary-specific ancillary therapies.

DATA EXTRACTION

Title/abstract review, full-text review, and data extraction using a standardized data collection form.

DATA SYNTHESIS

The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach was used to identify and summarize evidence and develop recommendations. Twenty-six studies were identified for full-text extraction. Four clinical recommendations were generated, related to use of inhaled nitric oxide, surfactant, prone positioning, and corticosteroids. Two good practice statements were generated on the use of routine endotracheal suctioning and installation of isotonic saline prior to endotracheal suctioning. Three research statements were generated related to: the use of open versus closed suctioning, specific methods of airway clearance, and various other ancillary therapies.

CONCLUSIONS

The evidence to support or refute any of the specific ancillary therapies in children with PARDS remains low. Further investigation, including a focus on specific subpopulations, is needed to better understand the role, if any, of these various ancillary therapies in PARDS.

Prone positioning in children with respiratory failure because of coronavirus disease 2019

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a common manifestation of severe COVID-19. Prone positioning has been used successfully in adult patients with ARDS and has been shown to decrease mortality. The efficacy of prone positioning in pediatric ARDS is less clear. In this review, we discuss the physiologic principles and literature on prone positioning in adults and children relative to COVID-19.

RECENT FINDINGS

There are limited published data on prone positioning in respiratory failure because of COVID-19. The use of proning in nonintubated patients with COVID-19 may improve oxygenation and dyspnea but has not been associated with improved outcomes. Initial adult cohort studies of intubated patients undergoing prone positioning in severe ARDS related to COVID-19 have shown an improvement in mortality. Although the use of proning in children with severe COVID-19 is recommended, data supporting its use is scarce.

SUMMARY

Additional studies to evaluate the efficacy of prone positioning in pediatric ARDS are needed to provide evidence for or against this treatment strategy in children. Given the unknown evolution of this pandemic, collaborative research efforts across pediatric centers provides the greatest opportunity to develop a data driven-approach to make use of this potential therapy.

Diffuse Alveolar Damage Correlation with Clinical Diagnosis of Pediatric Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) is one of the pathological hallmarks of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We aimed to compare pathological findings of DAD with clinical ARDS criteria. We re-evaluated 20 patients whose clinical autopsy revealed DAD. Total 11/20 patients with DAD (55%) met the 1994 American-European Consensus Conference and 7/17 (41%) met the 2012 Berlin clinical criteria. DAD showed only moderate correlation with current clinical ARDS definition. Oxygenation index (OI), seems to be the most valuable tool in predicting pulmonary damage severity, though OI is not listed in either of the previous definitions. We support the recommended use of OI by 2015 consensus conference.

Hospital preparedness and management of pediatric population during COVID-19 outbreak

With the recent pandemic of Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), there has been a higher number of reported cases in children more than to the prior Corona Virus-related diseases, namely, severe acute respiratory syndrome and the Middle East respiratory syndrome. The rate of COVID-19 in children is lower than adults; however, due to high transmission rate, the number of reported cases in children has been increasing. With the rising numbers among children, it is imperative to develop preparedness plans for the pediatric population at the hospital level, departmental level, and patient care areas. This paper summarizes important considerations for pediatric hospital preparedness at the hospital level that includes workforce, equipment, supply; capacity planning, and infection prevention strategies, it also span over the management of COVID-19 pediatric patients in high-risk areas such as critical care areas, Emergency Department and operative rooms.

Association between oxygenation and ventilation indices with the time on invasive mechanical ventilation in infants

BACKGROUND

Invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) is a common practice in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). However, the role of oxygenation (OI) and ventilation (VI) indices regarding the time on IMV has not been fully understood.

BASIC PROCEDURES

The study was conducted with infants up to 24 months of age, hospitalized in PICU for two consecutive years. The values of ventilatory parameters, OI, VI, and blood gas of infants, collected in the first seven days in IMV, were associated with the time on IMV. IMV was classified into: short (≤seven days) and long time (>seven days). The comparison was made from the first to the seventh day. Alpha=0.05.

MAIN FINDINGS

Of 142 infants [mean age=7.51±6.33 months], 59 (41.5%) remained on IMV for a short time and 83 (58.5%) for a long time. Differences in PaO2 values were found on the second day, and PaO2/FiO2 ratio on the second, third and fourth days, with higher values in the short-term IMV. For FiO2 from the second to the fifth day; Pinsp from the first to the seventh day; PEEP from the second to the sixth day; mechanical respiratory frequency from the second to the seventh day, PaCO2 on the second day; Paw from the first to the seventh day, OI from the second to the sixth day, and VI from the first to the seventh day, the values were higher in the long-term IMV.

CONCLUSIONS

The OI and VI can be considered as potential predictors of long-term IMV, along with other markers obtained during the IMV.

Pediatric Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure: Management of Oxygenation

Acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF) is one of the hallmarks of acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which are caused by an inflammatory process initiated by any of a number of potential systemic and/or pulmonary insults that result in heterogeneous disruption of the capillary-pithelial interface. In these critically sick patients, optimizing the management of oxygenation is crucial. Physicians managing pediatric patients with ALI or ARDS are faced with a complex array of options influencing oxygenation. Certain treatment strategies can influence clinical outcomes, such as a lung protective ventilation strategy that specifies a low tidal volume (6 mL/kg) and a plateau pressure limit (30 cm H2O). Other strategies such as different levels of positive end expiratory pressure, altered inspiration to expiration time ratios, recruitment maneuvers, prone positioning, and extraneous gases or drugs may also affect clinical outcomes. This article reviews state-of-the-art strategies on the management of oxygenation in acute hypoxemic respiratory failure in children.

Prognostic factors in the acute respiratory distress syndrome

Despite improvements in critical care, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remains a devastating clinical problem with high rates of morbidity and mortality. A better understanding of the prognostic factors associated with ARDS is crucial for facilitating risk stratification and developing new therapeutic interventions that aim to improve clinical outcomes. In this article, we present an up-to-date summary of factors that predict mortality in ARDS in four categories: (1) clinical characteristics; (2) physiological parameters and oxygenation; (3) genetic polymorphisms and biomarkers; and (4) scoring systems. In addition, we discuss how a better understanding of clinical and basic pathogenic mechanisms can help to inform prognostication, decision-making, risk stratification, treatment selection, and improve study design for clinical trials.

Pulmonary specific ancillary treatment for pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome: proceedings from the Pediatric Acute Lung Injury Consensus Conference

OBJECTIVE

To provide an overview of the current literature on pulmonary-specific therapeutic approaches to pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome to determine recommendations for clinical practice and/or future research.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, SCOPUS, and the Cochrane Library were searched from inception until January 2013 using the following keywords in various combinations: ARDS, treatment, nitric oxide, heliox, steroids, surfactant, etanercept, prostaglandin therapy, inhaled beta adrenergic receptor agonists, N-acetylcysteine, ipratroprium bromide, dornase, plasminogen activators, fibrinolytics or other anticoagulants, and children. No language restrictions were applied. References from identified articles were searched for additional publications.

STUDY SELECTION

All clinical studies pertaining to pulmonary-specific therapeutic approaches to pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome were reviewed. If clinical pediatric data were sparse or unavailable, the findings from studies of adult acute respiratory distress syndrome and animal models that might be relevant to pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome were examined.

DATA EXTRACTION

All relevant studies were reviewed and pertinent data abstracted.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Over the course of three international meetings, the pertinent findings of the literature review were discussed by a panel of 24 experts in the field representing 21 academic institutions and 8 countries. Recommendations developed and the supporting literature were distributed to all panel members without a conflict of interest and were scored by using the Research ANd Development/University of California, Los Angeles Appropriateness method. The modified Delphi approach was used as the methodology to achieve consensus among the panel.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the routine use of surfactant, inhaled nitric oxide, glucocorticoids, prone positioning, endotracheal suctioning, and chest physiotherapy cannot be recommended. Inhaled nitric oxide should only be used for patients with documented pulmonary hypertension and/or right ventricular failure. Prone positioning may be considered in patients with severe pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome. Future studies are definitely warranted to establish the role, if any, of these ancillary treatment modalities in pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot randomized trial of methylprednisolone infusion in pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome

OBJECTIVE

Low-dose methylprednisolone therapy in adults with early acute respiratory distress syndrome reduces systemic inflammation, duration of mechanical ventilation, and ICU length of stay. We report a pilot randomized trial of glucocorticoid treatment in early pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome.

DESIGN

Double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial.

SETTING

Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, TN.

PATIENTS

Children (0-18 yr) with acute respiratory distress syndrome undergoing mechanical ventilation.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients were randomly assigned to steroid or placebo groups within 72 hours of intubation. IV methylprednisolone administered as loading dose (2 mg/kg) and continuous infusions (1 mg/kg/d) on days 1-7 and then tapered over days 8-14. Both groups were ventilated according to the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Network protocol modified for children. Daily surveillance was performed for adverse effects.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Thirty-five patients were randomized to the steroid (n = 17, no death) and placebo groups (n = 18, two deaths). No differences occurred in length of mechanical ventilation, ICU stay, hospital stay, or mortality between the two groups. At baseline, higher plateau pressures (p = 0.006) and lower Pediatric Logistic Organ Dysfunction scores (p = 0.04) occurred in the steroid group; other characteristics were similar. Despite higher plateau pressures on days 1 (p = 0.006) and 2 (p = 0.025) due to poorer lung compliance in the steroid group, they had lower PaCO2 values on days 2 (p = 0.009) and 3 (p = 0.014), higher pH values on day 2 (p = 0.018), and higher PaO2/FIO2 ratios on days 8 (p = 0.047) and 9 (p = 0.002) compared with the placebo group. Fewer patients in the steroid group required treatment for postextubation stridor (p = 0.04) or supplemental oxygen at ICU transfer (p = 0.012). Steroid therapy was not associated with detectable adverse effects.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates the feasibility of administering low-dose glucocorticoid therapy and measuring clinically relevant outcomes in pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome. Changes in oxygenation and/or ventilation are consistent with early acute respiratory distress syndrome pathophysiology and results of similar clinical trials in adults. We propose and design a larger randomized trial to define the role of glucocorticoid therapy in pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Adjunctive treatments in pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a devastating process that involves pulmonary inflammation, alveolar damage and hypoxemic respiratory failure. Although advances in management approaches over the past two decades have resulted in significantly improved outcomes, death from pediatric ARDS may still occur in up to 35% of patients. While invasive mechanical ventilation is an essential component of ARDS management, various adjuncts have been utilized as treatment for these patients. However, evidence-based data in infants and children in this area are lacking. In this article, the authors review the available evidence supporting (or not supporting) the use of non-ventilatory adjunctive strategies in the management of pediatric ARDS, including prone positioning, pulmonary vasodilators, β-agonists, steroids and surfactant.

Acute respiratory failure

Acute respiratory failure is common in critically ill children, who are at increased risk of respiratory embarrassment because of the developmental variations in the respiratory system. Although multiple etiologies exist, pneumonia and bronchiolitis are most common. Respiratory system monitoring has evolved, with the clinical examination remaining paramount. Invasive tests are commonly replaced with noninvasive monitors. Children with ALI/ARDS have better overall outcomes than adults, although data regarding specific therapies are still lacking. Most children will have some degree of long-term physiologic respiratory compromise after recovery from ALI/ARDS. The physiologic basis for respiratory failure and its therapeutic options are reviewed here.

Júnior AA, Grande RA, Ribeiro MÂGO, Ribeiro JD. Relação entre índice de oxigenação e ventilação com o tempo em ventilação mecânica de pacientes em terapia intensiva pediátrica

OBJETIVO: Correlacionar o índice de oxigenação (IO) e o de ventilação (IV) com o tempo de ventilação mecânica invasiva (VMI) em pacientes pediátricos. MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo, observacional, com pacientes de 28 dias de vida a 14 anos de idade, internados na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Pediátrica de um hospital universitário. Correlacionaram-se valores de idade, peso, pH, pressão parcial de oxigênio (PaO2), pressão parcial de gás carbônico (PaCO2), IO e IV, nos primeiros cinco dias em VMI, com o tempo em que o paciente permaneceu em VMI. O tempo total de ventilação mecânica foi dividido em <7 dias e >7 dias. RESULTADOS: Foram estudados 28 pacientes. Houve correlação negativa significante do tempo de VMI com o pH no quarto dia e com a PaO2 no quinto dia. Houve correlação positiva com o IO no terceiro e quarto dias e com o IV no terceiro, quarto e quinto dias. Houve diferença na idade e pH no quarto e quinto dias e IV do segundo ao quinto dias entre o grupo que permaneceu menos de sete dias e o que permaneceu sete dias ou mais em VMI. CONCLUSÕES: IO, IV, pH e PaO2, medidos precocemente, associaram-se com VMI prolongada, refletindo a gravidade do distúrbio ventilatório inicial.

Pediatric acute lung injury

Among ventilated children, the incidence of acute lung injury (ALI) was 9%; of that latter group 80% developed the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The population-based prevalence of pediatric ARDS was 5.5 cases/100.000 inhabitants. Underlying diseases in children were septic shock (34%), respiratory syncytial virus infections (16%), bacterial pneumonia (15%), near-drowning 9%, and others. Mortality ranged from 18% to 27% for ALI (including ALI-non ARDS and ARDS) and from 29% to 50% for ARDS. Mortality was only 3%-11% in children with ALI-non ARDS. As risk factors, oxygenation indices and multi-organ failure have been identified. New insights into the pathophysiology (for example the interplay between intraalveolar coagulation/fibrinolysis and inflammation and the genetic polymorphism for the angiotensin-converting enzyme) offer new therapeutic options. Lung protective mechanical ventilation with optimal lung recruitment is the mainstay of supportive therapy. New therapeutic modalities refer to corticosteroid and surfactant treatment. Well-designed follow up studies are needed.

Nosocomial infections in the pediatric intensive care unit: affecting the impact on safety and outcome

OBJECTIVE

To define the most common types of nosocomial infections in critically ill children and to summarize the effect of methods to reduce their prevalence.

DESIGN

Review of published literature.

RESULTS

While in the pediatric intensive care unit, 16% of children develop a nosocomial infection. Processes affecting modifiable factors of care can reduce the prevalence of hospital-acquired infections.

CONCLUSIONS

The occurrence of a nosocomial infection represents failure and is not an acceptable outcome of treating critically ill children. Evidence-based process improvement can lead to significant reductions in hospital-acquired infections in children. Most of the processes and practices discussed are not novel or intriguing but, when performed routinely and appropriately, can lead to reductions in hospital-acquired infections.

[The prone position in acute respiratory distress syndrome: a critical systematic review]

OBJECTIVE

To do a critical systematic review regarding effects of prone positioning (PP) in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

METHODS

A systematic review (Highwire, Medline, Cochrane Library from 1976 to 2004), using the keywords: prone position, acute respiratory distress syndrome, allowed us to include the human studies on PP in ARDS patients, independantly of their objectives or their type of protocol. To appreciate the studies validity, we scored the quality evidence of the studies in order to grade our conclusions.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

The qualitative analysis of the 58 included studies (1,500 patients returned prone, 4,000 episodes of PP) led to the following main conclusions: 1) the PP improves oxygenation in the majority of ARDS patients (level of evidence I); 2) the PP improves the pulmonary haemodynamics without altering the systemic haemodynamics (level of evidence III); 3) the PP enhances the recruitment maneuvers (level of evidence III); 4) because there are no formal predictive criteria for response to the PP, a "trial of PP" or better two PP trials are necessary to look for the responders; 5) the PP should be performed as early as possible in the course of severe ARDS; 6) the optimal duration of PP is 18 to 23 hours daily, and it should be continued until improvement of arterial oxygenation, or loss of the positive effect of PP on arterial oxygenation or evidently patient's death.

Prone positioning can be safely performed in critically ill infants and children

OBJECTIVE

To describe the effects of prone positioning on airway management, mechanical ventilation, enteral nutrition, pain and sedation management, and staff utilization in infants and children with acute lung injury.

DESIGN

Secondary analysis of data collected in a multiple-center, randomized, controlled clinical trial of supine vs. prone positioning.

SETTING

Seven pediatric intensive care units located in the United States.

PATIENTS

One hundred and two pediatric patients (51 prone and 51 supine) with acute lung injury.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients randomized to the supine group remained supine. Patients randomized to the prone group were positioned prone per protocol during the acute phase of their illness for a maximum of 7 days. Both groups were managed using ventilator and sedation protocols and nutrition and skin care guidelines.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Airway management and mechanical ventilatory variables before and after repositioning, enteral nutrition management, pain and sedation management, staff utilization, and adverse event data were collected for up to 28 days after enrollment. There were a total of 202 supine-prone-supine cycles. There were no differences in the incidence of endotracheal tube leak between the two groups (p = .30). Per protocol, 95% of patients remained connected to the ventilator during repositioning. The inadvertent extubation rate was 0.85 for the prone group and 1.03 for the supine group per 100 ventilator days (p = 1.00). There were no significant differences in the initiation of trophic (p = .24), advancing (p = .82), or full enteral feeds (p = .80) between the prone and supine groups; in the average pain (p = .81) and sedation (p = .18) scores during the acute phase; and in the amount of comfort medications received between the two groups (p = .91). There were no critical events during a turn procedure. While prone, two patients experienced an obstructed endotracheal tube. One patient, supported on high-frequency oscillatory ventilation, experienced persistent hypercapnea when prone and was withdrawn from the study. The occurrence of pressure ulcers was similar between the two groups (p = .71). Compared with the supine group, more staff (p </= .001) and more time were necessary to reposition patients in the prone group.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data show that prone positioning can be safely performed in critically ill pediatric patients and that these patients can be safely managed while in the prone position for prolonged periods of time.

The physiological basis of respiratory support

The complex interplay between the characteristics of the respiratory system, its changes as a result of respiratory disease and the effects of mechanical ventilation makes it important to analyse the physiology of the respiratory system in any given clinical situation. Key variables to be considered are the elastic recoil, resistance and time constant of the respiratory system, as well as the characteristics of the respiratory pump. The effects of respiratory support on the intrathoracic organs and lung perfusion must be taken into account. Respiratory support modes can then be tailored to provide maximum benefit and a minimum of negative effects. When the relatively few basic principles that underlie the mechanical behaviour of the respiratory system in most circumstances are kept in mind, the challenge of optimal support seems solvable for most children with respiratory insufficiency.

Acute Lung Injury and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in The Pediatric Patient

When the lung becomes injured by direct or indirect assault, the body unleashes a massive immune-modulated initiative. The pediatric patient who experiences acute lung injury is at considerable risk for developing life-threatening respiratory compromise. By understanding the mechanisms of illness in these complex patients, the critical care nurse can connect the science of therapy with the art of providing care that minimizes oxygen expenditure and maximizes oxygen delivery.

Prone positioning improves oxygenation without adverse hemodynamic effects during partial liquid ventilation in a canine model of acute lung injury

BACKGROUND

Partial liquid ventilation (PLV) and prone positioning can improve the arterial oxygenation (PaO2) in acute lung injury (ALI). We evaluated the effect of prolonged prone positioning during partial liquid ventilation (PLV) in a canine model of acute lung injury.

METHODS

Six mongrel dogs (weighing 17.4 +/- 0.7 kg each) were anesthetized, intubated and mechanically ventilated. After 1 hour of baseline stabilization, the dogs' lungs were instilled with 40 mL/kg perfluorocarbon (PFC). PLV was first performed in the supine position for 1 hour (S1), then in the prone position for 3 hours with hourly measurements (P1, P2, P3), and finally, PLV was performed with the animal turned back to the supine position for 1 hour (S2).

RESULTS

After instillation of the PFC, the PaO2 significantly increased from 992 +/- 32.6 mmHg at baseline to 198.1 +/- 59.2 mmHg at S1 (p = 0.001). When the dogs were turned to the prone position, the PaO2 further increased to 288.3 +/- 80.9 mmHg at P1 (p = 0.008 vs. S1): this increase was maintained for 3 hours, but the PaO2 decreased to 129.4 +/- 62.5 mmHg at S2 (p < 0.001 vs. P3). Similar changes were seen in the shunt fraction. There were no significant differences for the systemic hemodynamic parameters between the prone and supine positions.

CONCLUSION

Prolonged prone positioning during PLV in an animal model of ALI appears to improve oxygenation without any hemodynamic compromise.

Novel approaches in conventional mechanical ventilation for paediatric acute lung injury

Acute lung injury remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in paediatric intensive care units. Research over the past decade has altered our understanding of the pathophysiology of acute lung injury and the effects of mechanical ventilation on the lung. As a result, approaches to conventional mechanical ventilation of the injured lung are now largely centred around preservation of adequate gas exchange while protecting the lung from further ventilator-induced lung injury. Current techniques for accomplishing these goals include adjusting the ventilator based on the measurement and interpretation of pressure-volume curves, limitation of inspiratory tidal volumes, use of elevated levels of positive end-expiratory pressure, recruiting manoeuvres and prone positioning. The currently available data regarding the efficacy and appropriate use of these techniques are reviewed.