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Mejia EJ, Xiao R, Walter JK, Feudtner C, Lin KY, DeWitt AG, Prasad Kerlin M. Programmatic Palliative Care Consultations in Pediatric Heart Transplant Evaluations. Pediatr Cardiol 2024; 45:1064-1071. [PMID: 38453700 PMCID: PMC11056287 DOI: 10.1007/s00246-024-03422-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Guidelines advocate for integrating palliative care into the management of heart failure (HF) and of children with life-limiting disease. The potential impact of palliative care integration into pediatric HF on patient-centered outcomes is poorly understood. The present study sought to assess the association of programmatic implementation of palliative care into the heart transplant evaluation process with hospital-free days (HFD) and end of life (EOL) treatment choices. The study included patients less than 19 years of age who underwent a heart transplant evaluation between February 2012 and April 2020 at a single center. Patients evaluated in the programmatic palliative care (PPC) era (January 2016-April 2020) were compared to patients evaluated in the pre-PPC era (February 2012-December 2015). The study included 188 patients, with 91 (48%) in the PPC era and 97 (52%) in the pre-PCC era. Children < 1 year of age at the time of the evaluation represented 32% of the cohort. 52% of patients had single ventricle physiology. PPC was not significantly associated with increased HFD (IRR 0.94 [95% CI 0.79-1.2]). PPC was however associated with intensity of EOL care with decreased mechanical ventilation (OR 0.12 [95% CI 0.02-0.789], p = 0.03) and decreased use of ionotropic support (OR 0.13 [95% CI 0.02-0.85], p =0.03). PPC in pediatric heart transplant evaluations may be associated with less invasive interventions at EOL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika J Mejia
- Divisions of Cardiology and Palliative Care, Ann & Robert Lurie Children's Hospital, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Rui Xiao
- Division of Biostatistics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jennifer K Walter
- Division of General Pediatrics and the Justin Michael Ingerman Center for Palliative Care, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Chris Feudtner
- Division of General Pediatrics and the Justin Michael Ingerman Center for Palliative Care, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kimberly Y Lin
- Division of Cardiology, Children's Hospital Of Philadelphia, PA, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Aaron G DeWitt
- Division of Cardiac Critical Care Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Meeta Prasad Kerlin
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Broden EG, Bailey VK, Beke DM, Snaman JM, Moynihan KM. Dying and Death in a Pediatric Cardiac ICU: Mixed Methods Evaluation of Multidisciplinary Staff Responses. Pediatr Crit Care Med 2024; 25:e91-e102. [PMID: 37678228 DOI: 10.1097/pcc.0000000000003357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Understanding factors influencing quality of pediatric end-of-life (EOL) care is necessary to identify interventions to improve family and staff experiences. We characterized pediatric cardiac ICU (PCICU) staff free-text survey responses to contextualize patterns in quality of dying and death (QODD) scoring. DESIGN This mixed methods study reports on a cross-sectional survey of PCICU staff involved in patient deaths. SETTING Single, quaternary PCICU from 2019-2021. PARTICIPANTS Multidisciplinary staff (bedside nurses, allied health professionals, and medical practitioners) rated QODD and voluntarily added free-text responses. We derived descriptive categories of free-text responses using content analysis. Response sentiment was classified as positive, negative or both positive and negative. We compared category and sentiment frequency by discipline, EOL medical intensity, years of experience and QODD score quartiles. INTERVENTIONS None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Of 60 deaths and 713 completed staff surveys, 269 (38%) contained free-text responses, including 103 of 269 (38%) from nurses. Of six qualitative categories (i.e., relational dynamics, clinical circumstances, family experiences, emotional expressions, temporal conditions, and structural/situational factors), relational dynamics was most frequent (173 responses). When compared by discipline, family experiences were more common in nursing responses than medical practitioners or allied health. High intensity was associated with infrequent discussion of family experience and greater focus on temporal conditions and clinical circumstances. Emotional expressions and temporal conditions were more common in lowest QODD quartile surveys. Although 45% staff responses contained both sentiments, relational dynamics and family experiences were more likely positive. Negative sentiments were more common in the lowest QODD quartile surveys and responses containing temporal conditions or structural/situational factors. CONCLUSIONS Synergistic relationships between the multidisciplinary team and family shaped clinician's positive responses. Attention to team dynamics may be a crucial ingredient in interventions to improve EOL care. Our data support that team-based education initiatives should consider differential foci between disciplines and EOL characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth G Broden
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Valerie K Bailey
- Cardiovascular and Critical Care Nursing Patient Services, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Dorothy M Beke
- Cardiovascular and Critical Care Nursing Patient Services, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Jennifer M Snaman
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Katie M Moynihan
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Cardiovascular and Critical Care Nursing Patient Services, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
- Children's Hospital at Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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McClung JA, Frishman WH, Aronow WS. The Role of Palliative Care in Cardiovascular Disease. Cardiol Rev 2024:00045415-990000000-00182. [PMID: 38169299 DOI: 10.1097/crd.0000000000000634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
The American Heart Association has recommended that palliative care be integrated into the care of all patients with advanced cardiac illnesses. Notwithstanding, the number of patients receiving specialist palliative intervention worldwide remains extremely small. This review examines the nature of palliative care and what is known about its delivery to patients with cardiac illness. Most of the published literature on the subject concern advanced heart failure; however, some data also exist regarding patients with heart transplantation, pulmonary hypertension, valvular disease, congenital heart disease, indwelling devices, mechanical circulatory support, and advanced coronary disease. In addition, outcome data, certification requirements, workforce challenges, barriers to implementation, and a potential caveat about palliative care will also be examined. Further work is required regarding appropriate means of implementation, quality control, and timing of intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Arthur McClung
- From the Departments of Cardiology and Medicine, Westchester Medical Center, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY
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Valente IE, Fisher G, Wolf BJ, Tanious MK. Code Status Discussions in Pediatric Patients With Heart Disease During Terminal Admissions. Pediatrics 2023; 152:e2023063221. [PMID: 37936505 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2023-063221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Isabella E Valente
- Department of Anesthesiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Gabrielle Fisher
- Department of Anesthesiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Bethany J Wolf
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
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Moynihan KM, Bailey V, Beke DM, Alizadeh F, Gauvreau K, Snaman JM. Staff Perceptions of Dying and Death in a Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit During COVID-19. Am J Crit Care 2023; 32:221-225. [PMID: 36804658 DOI: 10.4037/ajcc2023424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Strict visitor restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic have been associated with staff moral distress in numerous clinical settings, yet little is known about effects on perceptions of pediatric end-of-life care. OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of COVID-19 visitor restrictions on perceptions of quality of dying and death. METHODS This was a cross-sectional survey of interdisciplinary staff caring for dying children in a cardiac intensive care unit with flexible visitation allowances compared with published policies reported in the literature at the time. RESULTS No significant difference in perceptions of quality of dying and death was found between the prepandemic and pandemic periods despite similar clinical care provision. The relatively less stringent allowances at end of life did not adversely affect staff risk for infection. CONCLUSIONS The findings support affording some flexibility to visitation at end-of-life, which may mitigate negative staff perceptions of quality of dying and death. With the profound effects of COVID-19 on end-of-life care provision, these results may have implications for future global challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie M Moynihan
- Katie M. Moynihan is a cardiac intensivist, Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, and Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Valerie Bailey
- Valerie Bailey is a nurse practitioner, Cardiovascular and Critical Care Nursing Patient Services, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Dorothy M Beke
- Dorothy M. Beke is a nurse practice specialist, Cardiovascular and Critical Care Nursing Patient Services, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Faraz Alizadeh
- Faraz Alizadeh is a cardiology fellow, Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, and Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Kimberlee Gauvreau
- Kimberlee Gauvreau is a senior biostatistician, Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, and Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jennifer M Snaman
- Jennifer M. Snaman is a palliative care and oncology clinician, Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, and Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
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Tadros HJ, Gupta D. "A Good Death": Role of Shared Decision Making and Palliative Care in Children with Cardiac Disease. Pediatr Cardiol 2023; 44:958-959. [PMID: 36773076 DOI: 10.1007/s00246-023-03124-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Hanna J Tadros
- Section of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Dipankar Gupta
- Congenital Heart Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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Lindley LC, Svynarenko R, Mooney-Doyle K, Mendola A, Naumann WC, Harris R. A National Study of Healthcare Service Patterns at the End of Life Among Children With Cardiac Disease. J Cardiovasc Nurs 2023; 38:44-51. [PMID: 34935739 PMCID: PMC9209569 DOI: 10.1097/jcn.0000000000000875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Heart diseases are one of the leading causes of health-related deaths among children. Concurrent hospice care offers hospice and nonhospice healthcare services simultaneously, but the use of these services by children with cardiac disease has been rarely investigated. OBJECTIVE The aims of this study were to identify patterns of nonhospice healthcare services used in concurrent hospice care and describe the profile of children with cardiac disease in these clusters. METHODS This study was a retrospective cohort analysis of Medicaid claims data collected between 2011 and 2013 from 1635 pediatric cardiac patients. The analysis included descriptive statistics and latent class analysis. RESULTS Children in the sample used more than 314 000 nonhospice healthcare services. The most common services were inpatient hospital procedures, durable medical equipment, and home health. Latent class analysis clustered children into "moderate intensity" (60.0%) and "high intensity" classes (40.0%). Children in "moderate intensity" had dysrhythmias (31.7%), comorbidities (85.0%), mental/behavioral health conditions (55%), and technology dependence (71%). They commonly resided in urban areas (60.1%) in the Northeast (44.4%). The health profile of children in the "high intensity" class included dysrhythmias (39.4%), comorbidities (97.6%), mental/behavioral health conditions (71.5%), and technology dependence (85.8%). These children resided in rural communities (50.7%) in the South (53.1%). CONCLUSIONS Two patterns of use of nonhospice healthcare services were identified in this study. This information may be used by nurses and other healthcare professionals working in concurrent hospice care to assess the healthcare service needs of children with cardiac conditions at the end of life.
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Alizadeh F, Morell E, Hummel K, Wu Y, Wypij D, Matthew D, Esteso P, Moynihan K, Blume ED. The Surprise Question as a Trigger for Primary Palliative Care Interventions for Children with Advanced Heart Disease. Pediatr Cardiol 2022; 43:1822-1831. [PMID: 35503117 DOI: 10.1007/s00246-022-02919-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
There is significant uncertainty in describing prognosis and a lack of reliable entry criteria for palliative care studies in children with advanced heart disease (AHD). This study evaluates the utility of the surprise question-"Would you be surprised if this child died within the next year?"-to predict one-year mortality in children with AHD and assess its utility as entry criteria for future trials. This is a prospective cohort study of physicians and nurses caring for children (1 month-19 years) with AHD hospitalized ≥ 7 days. AHD was defined as single ventricle physiology, pulmonary vein stenosis or pulmonary hypertension, or any cardiac diagnosis with signs of advanced disease. Primary physicians were asked the surprise question and medical record review was performed. Forty-nine physicians responded to the surprise question for 152 patients. Physicians responded "No, I would not be surprised if this patient died" for 54 (36%) patients, 20 (37%) of whom died within 1 year, predicting one-year mortality with 77% sensitivity, 73% specificity, 37% positive predictive value, and 94% negative predictive value. Patients who received a "No" response had an increased 1-year risk of death (hazard ratio 7.25, p < 0.001). Physician years of experience, subspecialty, and self-rated competency were not associated with the accuracy of the surprise question. The surprise question offers promise as a bedside screening tool to identify children with AHD at high risk for mortality and help physicians identify patients who may benefit from palliative care and advance care planning discussions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faraz Alizadeh
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Emily Morell
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kevin Hummel
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yunhong Wu
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - David Wypij
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Danes Matthew
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Paul Esteso
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Katie Moynihan
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Elizabeth D Blume
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Madrigal VN, Feltman DM, Leuthner SR, Kirsch R, Hamilton R, Dokken D, Needle J, Boss R, Lelkes E, Carter B, Macias E, Bhombal S. Bioethics for Neonatal Cardiac Care. Pediatrics 2022; 150:189885. [PMID: 36317974 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2022-056415n] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinicians caring for neonates with congenital heart disease encounter challenges with ethical implications in daily practice and must have some basic fluency in ethical principles and practical applications. METHODS Good ethical practice begins with a thorough understanding of the details and narrative of each individual case, examination via classic principles of bioethics, and further framing of that translation into practice. RESULTS We explore some of these issues and expand awareness through the lens of a case presentation beginning with fetal considerations through end-of-life discussions. CONCLUSIONS We include specific sections that bring attention to shared decision-making, research ethics, and outcomes reporting. We review empirical evidence and highlight recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa N Madrigal
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Critical Care Medicine and Pediatric Ethics Program, Children's National Hospital, George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Dalia M Feltman
- NorthShore University HealthSystem Evanston Hospital, University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Steven R Leuthner
- Departments of Pediatrics and Bioethics, Division of Neonatology, Children's Wisconsin, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Roxanne Kirsch
- Department of Critical Care, Division Cardiac Critical Care Medicine; Department of Bioethics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rekha Hamilton
- Mednax Inc. Cook Children's Medical Center, Fort Worth, Texas
| | - Deborah Dokken
- Family Leader and Staff Member, Institute for Patient and Family-Centered Care, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Jennifer Needle
- Department of Pediatrics and the Center for Bioethics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Renee Boss
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Berman Institute of Bioethics, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Efrat Lelkes
- Department of Pediatrics, Divisions of Critical Care Medicine and Palliative Medicine, Bioethics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Brian Carter
- Departments of Humanities and Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology and Bioethics Center, Children's Mercy Hospital, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, Missouri
| | - Eduardo Macias
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Cardiology. University Hospital, University of Texas, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Shazia Bhombal
- Department of Pediatrics, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital. Stanford, Palo Alto, California
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Jewitt N, Mah K, Bonares M, Weingarten K, Ross H, Amin R, Morgan CT, Zimmermann C, Wentlandt K. Pediatric and Adult Cardiologists' and Respirologists' Referral Practices to Palliative Care. J Pain Symptom Manage 2022; 64:461-470. [PMID: 35905938 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2022.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Children and adults with advanced cardiac or respiratory disease may benefit from specialized palliative care (SPC), but there has been little SPC research in this area. OBJECTIVES To explore pediatric cardiologists' and respirologists' (pediatric clinicians) beliefs about and referral practices to SPC and compare these results to adult cardiologists and respirologists (adult clinicians). METHODS Pediatric and adult clinicians were sent a survey exploring SPC referral practices and beliefs. Responses were summarized with descriptive statistics. Pediatric and adult clinicians' responses were compared using Pearson's chi-square test. RESULTS The response rate was 56% (989/1759); 9% (87/989) were pediatric clinicians. Pediatric clinicians were more likely than adult clinicians to be female, work in an academic center, and experience fewer patient deaths (P<0.001). Pediatric clinicians reported better access to SPC clinical nurse specialists, spiritual care specialists and bereavement counselors (P<0.001), while adult clinicians reported better access to palliative care units (P<0.001). Pediatric clinicians referred to SPC earlier, while adult clinicians tended to refer after disease directed therapies were stopped (P<0.001). More than half of all clinicians felt patients had negative perceptions of the phrase "palliative care". Although most clinicians were satisfied with SPC quality (73-82%), fewer adult clinicians were satisfied with SPC availability (74 vs. 47%; P<0.001). Fewer pediatric clinicians felt that SPC prioritized oncology patients (13 vs. 53%; P<0.001). CONCLUSION There are important differences between pediatric and adult clinicians' beliefs about and referral practices to SPC. This may reflect unique features of pediatric diseases, provider characteristics, care philosophies, or service availability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Jewitt
- Pediatric Advanced Care Team (PACT), The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (N.J., K.W.); Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (N.J., K.W., R.A., C.T.M.)
| | - Kenneth Mah
- Department of Supportive Care, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (K.M., C.Z., K.W.)
| | - Michael Bonares
- Division of Palliative Care, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (M.B.); Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (M.B., C.Z.)
| | - Kevin Weingarten
- Pediatric Advanced Care Team (PACT), The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (N.J., K.W.); Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (N.J., K.W., R.A., C.T.M.)
| | - Heather Ross
- Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto and University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (H.R.)
| | - Reshma Amin
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (N.J., K.W., R.A., C.T.M.); Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (R.A.)
| | - Conall Thomas Morgan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (N.J., K.W., R.A., C.T.M.); Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (C.T.M.)
| | - Camilla Zimmermann
- Department of Supportive Care, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (K.M., C.Z., K.W.); Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (M.B., C.Z.)
| | - Kirsten Wentlandt
- Department of Supportive Care, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (K.M., C.Z., K.W.); Division of Palliative Care, Department of Community and Family Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (K.W.).
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Bailey V, Beke DM, Snaman JM, Alizadeh F, Goldberg S, Smith-Parrish M, Gauvreau K, Blume ED, Moynihan KM. Assessment of an Instrument to Measure Interdisciplinary Staff Perceptions of Quality of Dying and Death in a Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e2210762. [PMID: 35522280 PMCID: PMC9077481 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.10762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Lack of pediatric end-of-life care quality indicators and challenges ascertaining family perspectives make staff perceptions valuable. Cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) interdisciplinary staff play an integral role supporting children and families at end of life. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Quality of Dying and Death (PICU-QODD) instrument and examine differences between disciplines and end-of-life circumstances. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This cross-sectional survey included staff at a single center involved in pediatric CICU deaths from July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2021. EXPOSURES Staff demographic characteristics, intensity of end-of-life care (mechanical support, open chest, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation [CPR]), mode of death (discontinuation of life-sustaining therapy, treatment limitation, comfort care, CPR, and brain death), and palliative care involvement. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES PICU-QODD instrument standardized score (maximum, 100, with higher scores indicating higher quality); global rating of quality of the moment of death and 7 days prior (Likert 11-point scale, with 0 indicating terrible and 10, ideal) and mode-of-death alignment with family wishes. RESULTS Of 60 patient deaths (31 [52%] female; median [IQR] age, 4.9 months [10 days to 7.5 years]), 33 (55%) received intense care. Of 713 surveys (72% response rate), 246 (35%) were from nurses, 208 (29%) from medical practitioners, and 259 (36%) from allied health professionals. Clinical experience varied (298 [42%] ≤5 years). Median (IQR) PICU-QODD score was 93 (84-97); and quality of the moment of death and 7 days prior scores were 9 (7-10) and 5 (2-7), respectively. Cronbach α ranged from 0.87 (medical staff) to 0.92 (allied health), and PICU-QODD scores significantly correlated with global rating and alignment questions. Mean (SD) PICU-QODD scores were more than 3 points lower for nursing and allied health compared with medical practitioners (nursing staff: 88.3 [10.6]; allied health: 88.9 [9.6]; medical practitioner: 91.9 [7.8]; P < .001) and for less experienced staff (eg, <2 y: 87.7 [8.9]; >15 y: 91, P = .002). Mean PICU-QODD scores were lower for patients with comorbidities, surgical admissions, death following treatment limitation, or death misaligned with family wishes. No difference was observed with palliative care involvement. High-intensity care, compared with low-intensity care, was associated with lower median (IQR) rating of the quality of the 7 days prior to death (4 [2-6] vs 6 [4-8]; P = .001) and of the moment of death (8 [4-10] vs 9 [8-10]; P =.001). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this cross-sectional survey study of CICU staff, the PICU-QODD showed promise as a reliable and valid clinician measure of quality of dying and death in the CICU. Overall QODD was positively perceived, with lower rated quality of 7 days prior to death and variation by staff and patient characteristics. Our data could guide strategies to meaningfully improve CICU staff well-being and end-of-life experiences for patients and families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie Bailey
- Cardiovascular and Critical Care Nursing Patient Services, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Dorothy M. Beke
- Cardiovascular and Critical Care Nursing Patient Services, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jennifer M. Snaman
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Faraz Alizadeh
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sarah Goldberg
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Kimberlee Gauvreau
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Elizabeth D. Blume
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Katie M. Moynihan
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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12
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Carr K, Hasson F, McIlfatrick S, Downing J. Initiation of paediatric advance care planning: Cross-sectional survey of health professionals reported behaviour. Child Care Health Dev 2022; 48:423-434. [PMID: 34873744 PMCID: PMC9306788 DOI: 10.1111/cch.12943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Globally, initiation of paediatric advance care planning discussions is advocated early in the illness trajectory; however, evidence suggests it occurs at crisis points or close to end of life. Few studies have been undertaken to ascertain the prevalence and determinants of behaviour related to initiation by the healthcare professional. METHOD Underpinned by the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation-Behaviour (COM-B) model for behaviour change, a cross-sectional online survey was conducted in United Kingdom and Ireland using a purposive sample of health professionals. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied and nonparametric statistical analysis used. Open-ended questions were mapped and correlations between COM-B and demographic profiles identified. RESULTS Responses (n = 140): Paediatric advance care planning was viewed positively; however, initiation practices were found to be influenced by wide ranging diagnoses and disease trajectories. Whilst some tools and protocols exist, they were not used in a systematic manner, and initiation behaviour was often not guided by them. Initiation was unstandardized, individually led, guided by intuition and experience and based on a range of prerequisites. Such behaviour, combined with inconsistencies in professional development, resulted in varying practice when managing clinical deterioration. Professionals who felt adequately trained initiated more conversations (capability). Those working in palliative care specialties, hospice settings and doctors initiated more discussions (opportunity). There was no difference in Motivation between professions, clinical settings or specialisms, although 25% (n = 35) of responses indicated discomfort discussing death and 34% (n = 49) worried about families' emotional reaction. CONCLUSION Although advocated, paediatric advance care planning is a complex process, commonly triggered by the physical deterioration and rarely underpinned by support tools. The COM-B framework was useful in identifying fundamental differences in initiation behaviour; however, further research is required to explore the complexity of initiation behaviour and the system within which the care is being delivered to identify influences on initiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Carr
- Institute of Nursing and Health ResearchUlster UniversityNewtownabbeyUK
| | - Felicity Hasson
- Institute of Nursing and Health ResearchUlster UniversityNewtownabbeyUK
| | - Sonja McIlfatrick
- Institute of Nursing and Health ResearchUlster UniversityNewtownabbeyUK
| | - Julia Downing
- International Children's Palliative Care NetworkBristolUK,Department of MedicineMakerere UniversityKampalaUganda
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13
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Bergsträsser E, Lukose S, Zimmermann K, Oxenius A. Palliative Care in Children With Advanced Heart Disease in a Tertiary Care Environment: A Mini Review. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:863031. [PMID: 35463792 PMCID: PMC9023876 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.863031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Palliative care for children continues to evolve. More recently, this has also been true in the field of pediatric cardiology, particularly for children with advanced heart disease. In these children, similarly to children with cancer, treatment successes are offset by the risks of long-term morbidities, including premature death. This mini review aims to provide an overview of current knowledge on children suffering from advanced heart disease, their medical care during various phases of illness (including the palliative and end-of-life phase), symptom burden, experiences of parents, prognostic understanding of parents and physicians, and current status of the involvement of pediatric palliative care. In conclusion, the suffering of these children at the end of their young lives is pronounced and many parents feel prepared neither for medical problems nor for the child’s death. An effective and mutually trusting partnership between pediatric cardiology and pediatric palliative care would appear to be a prerequisite for the timely involvement of palliative care in further supporting these children and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Bergsträsser
- Pediatric Palliative Care, Department of Medicine I, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Eva Bergsträsser,
| | - Saumya Lukose
- Pediatric Palliative Care, Department of Medicine I, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Karin Zimmermann
- Pediatric Palliative Care, Department of Medicine I, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department Public Health, Nursing Science, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Angela Oxenius
- Pediatric Cardiology, Heart Center, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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14
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Abstract
Children with heart disease often experience symptoms and medically intense end-of-life care. Our study explored bereaved parents' perceptions of a "good death" via a mail survey to 128 parents of children with heart disease who died in two centers. Parental perceptions of end-of-life circumstances were assessed by closed-ended questions including level of agreement with the question: "would you say your child experienced a good death?" and open-ended comments were contributed. Medical therapies at end-of-life and mode of death were retrieved through chart review. Of 50 responding parents, 44 (response rate: 34%) responded to the "good death" question; 16 (36%) agreed strongly, 15 (34%) agreed somewhat, and 30% disagreed (somewhat: 7, 16%; strongly: 6, 14%). Half the children were on mechanical support and 84% intubated at death. Of children with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) at end-of-life, 71% of parents disagreed with the "good death" question compared with 22% of parents whose child died following discontinuation of life-sustaining therapy or comfort measures (OR 9.1, 95% CI 1.3, 48.9, p < 0.01). Parent-reported circumstances associated with disagreement with the "good death" question included cure-oriented goals-of-care (OR 16.6, 95% CI 3.0, 87.8, p < 0.001), lack of advance care planning (ACP) (OR 12.4 95% CI 2.1, 65.3 p < 0.002), surprise regarding timing of death (OR 11.7, 95% CI 2.6, 53.4 p < 0.002), and experience of pain (OR 42.1, 95% CI 2.3, 773.7 p < 0.02). Despite high medical intensity, many bereaved parents of children with cardiac disease agree a "good death" was experienced. A "good death" was associated with greater preparedness, ACP, non-cure-oriented goals-of-care, pain control, and CPR avoidance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie M Moynihan
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, MS BCH3215, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Sonja I Ziniel
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Emily Johnston
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Emily Morell
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kenneth Pituch
- Department of Pediatrics, C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
| | - Elizabeth D Blume
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, MS BCH3215, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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15
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Moynihan KM, Lelkes E, Kumar RK, DeCourcey DD. Is this as good as it gets? Implications of an asymptotic mortality decline and approaching the nadir in pediatric intensive care. Eur J Pediatr 2022; 181:479-487. [PMID: 34599379 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-021-04277-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Despite advances in medicine, some children will always die; a decline in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) mortality to zero will never be achieved. The mortality decline is correspondingly asymptotic, yet we remain preoccupied with mortality outcomes. Are we at the nadir, and are we, thus, as good as we can get? And what should we focus to benchmark our units, if not mortality? In the face of changing case-mix and rising complexity, dramatic reductions in PICU mortality have been observed globally. At the same time, survivors have increasing disability, and deaths are often characterized by intensive life-sustaining therapies preceded by prolonged admissions, emphasizing the need to consider alternate outcome measures to evaluate our successes and failures. What are the costs and implications of reaching this nadir in mortality outcomes? We highlight the failings of our fixation with survival and an imperative to consider alternative outcomes in our PICUs, including the costs for both patients that survive and die, their families, healthcare providers, and society including perspectives in low resource settings. We describe the implications for benchmarking, research, and training the next generation of providers.Conlusion: Although survival remains a highly relevant metric, as PICUs continue to strive for clinical excellence, pushing boundaries in research and innovation, with endeavors in safety, quality, and high-reliability systems, we must prioritize outcomes beyond mortality, evaluate "costs" beyond economics, and find novel ways to improve the care we provide to all of our pediatric patients and their families. What is Known: • The fall in PICU mortality is asymptotic, and a decline to zero is not achievable. Approaching the nadir, we challenge readers to consider implications of focusing on medical and technological advances with survival as the sole outcome of interest. What is New: • Our fixation with survival has costs for patients, families, staff, and society. In the changing PICU landscape, we advocate to pivot towards alternate outcome metrics. • By considering the implications for benchmarking, research, and training, we may better care for patients and families, educate trainees, and expand what it means to succeed in the PICU.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie M Moynihan
- Pediatric Intensive Care, Westmead Children's Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Efrat Lelkes
- Department of Pediatrics, Benioff Children's Hospital, University of California, CA, San Francisco, USA
| | - Raman Krishna Kumar
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Cochin, Kerala, India
| | - Danielle D DeCourcey
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Medical Critical Care, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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16
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Therapies for paediatric congenital and acquired heart disease continue to evolve and the appropriateness of pursuing life sustaining interventions at margins of standard therapy is ethically challenging. RECENT FINDINGS With ongoing emphasis on shared decision making, recent literature explored physician and parental perspectives on communication with families and offering interventions for complex congenital heart disease and advanced heart failure. The inclusion of parental values and views in this process is now widely accepted. Identified outstanding challenges include difficulty with prognostication from the outset, adjusting long-term goals of care to changes in clinical parameters, need for consistency in communication including regular review meetings with family or surrogate decision-makers. Bioethics consultation and multidisciplinary team reviews may be helpful supports. Palliative care involvement in this population improves quality of life and alleviates parental distress but this collaboration is not optimized. SUMMARY Decision to offer, forgo, or discontinue life-sustaining therapies for children with heart disease has nuanced and context-specific considerations, and must integrate burdens of interventions with patient and family values. Thus, decision making remains complex and demands thoughtful review of not only risks and benefits, but views and values, clearly communicated to team and family.
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17
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Pollak U, Feinstein Y, Mannarino CN, McBride ME, Mendonca M, Keizman E, Mishaly D, van Leeuwen G, Roeleveld PP, Koers L, Klugman D. The horizon of pediatric cardiac critical care. Front Pediatr 2022; 10:863868. [PMID: 36186624 PMCID: PMC9523119 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.863868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care (PCCC) is a challenging discipline where decisions require a high degree of preparation and clinical expertise. In the modern era, outcomes of neonates and children with congenital heart defects have dramatically improved, largely by transformative technologies and an expanding collection of pharmacotherapies. Exponential advances in science and technology are occurring at a breathtaking rate, and applying these advances to the PCCC patient is essential to further advancing the science and practice of the field. In this article, we identified and elaborate on seven key elements within the PCCC that will pave the way for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uri Pollak
- Section of Pediatric Critical Care, Hadassah University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.,Faculty of Medicine, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Yael Feinstein
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Soroka University Medical Center, Be'er Sheva, Israel.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva, Israel
| | - Candace N Mannarino
- Divisions of Cardiology and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Mary E McBride
- Divisions of Cardiology and Critical Care Medicine, Departments of Pediatrics and Medical Education, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Malaika Mendonca
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Children's Hospital, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Eitan Keizman
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The Leviev Cardiothoracic and Vascular Center, The Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - David Mishaly
- Pediatric and Congenital Cardiac Surgery, Edmond J. Safra International Congenital Heart Center, The Chaim Sheba Medical Center, The Edmond and Lily Safra Children's Hospital, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Grace van Leeuwen
- Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, Sidra Medicine, Ar-Rayyan, Qatar.,Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, Ar-Rayyan, Qatar
| | - Peter P Roeleveld
- Department of Pediatric Intensive Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Lena Koers
- Department of Pediatric Intensive Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Darren Klugman
- Pediatrics Cardiac Critical Care Unit, Blalock-Taussig-Thomas Pediatric and Congenital Heart Center, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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