Efficacy and Safety of Fentanyl in Combination with Midazolam in Children on Mechanical Ventilation

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of fentanyl for sedation therapy in mechanically ventilated children. METHODS: This was a double-blind, randomized controlled trial of mechanically ventilated patients between 2 months and 18 years of age. Patients were randomly divided into two groups; the control group with midazolam alone, and the combination group with both fentanyl and midazolam. The sedation level was evaluated using the Comfort Behavior Scale (CBS), and the infusion rates were adjusted according to the difference between the measured and the target CBS score. RESULTS: Forty-four patients were recruited and randomly allocated, with 22 patients in both groups. The time ratio of cumulative hours with a difference in CBS score (measured CBS–target CBS) of ≥ 4 points (i.e., under-sedation) was lower in the combination group (median, 0.06; interquartile range [IQR], 0–0.2) than in the control group (median, 0.15; IQR, 0.04–0.29) (P < 0.001). The time ratio of cumulative hours with a difference in CBS score of ≥ 8 points (serious under-sedation) was also lower in the combination group (P < 0.001). The cumulative amount of midazolam used in the control group (0.11 mg/kg/hr; 0.07–0.14 mg/kg/hr) was greater than in the combination group (0.07 mg/kg/hr; 0.06–0.11 mg/kg/hr) (P < 0.001). Two cases of hypotension in each group were detected but coma and ileus, the major known adverse reactions to fentanyl, did not occur. CONCLUSION: Fentanyl combined with midazolam is safe and more effective than midazolam alone for sedation therapy in mechanically ventilated children. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02172014

Experience of Smoking Cessation Treatment Program in Korea: Results from a Qualitative Study / 보건행정학회지

BACKGROUND: The objectives of this study were to identify the reasons of quitting smoking, to determine the factors that make it difficult or helpful to maintain smoking cessation and to confirm the changes after the smoking cessation. METHODS: This study was conducted an in-depth interview with people who participated in the smoking cessation treatment program. There were 10 participants and they were interviewed thoroughly for 14 times. Using the directed content analysis, we analyzed the transcript which was written by recording the interview and the researchers' note. RESULTS: The results of this study are summarized as ‘the experience while at the verge of smoking cessation and stepping over the verge of smoking cessation,’ ‘the changing experience due to smoking cessation,’ and ‘maintaining the changes through overcoming re-smoking.’ The smoking cessation treatment program induced the smokers to quit smoking. Participants mentioned drinking alcohol was the major obstacle to maintain smoking cessation. Also, they noted that the money and the time that were already spent to quit smoking helped their smoking cessation as well as the social relations which helped to prevent re-smoking. Participants felt well-cared through the smoking cessation treatment program and that it helped them to maintain smoking cessation. CONCLUSION: Smoking cessation treatment program has a positive effect on the smoking cessation trial and maintenance. In order for smokers to overcome re-smoking, educations regarding drinking problem, formation of supportive social relationship, and the applications for smoking cessation will be beneficial.

Disseminated Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus Infection / 대한구급학회지

Disseminated neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is one of the most severe neonatal infections, and can have devastating consequences without early proper treatment. However, the administration of acyclovir can often be delayed because the symptoms and signs of HSV infection are non-specific and because HSV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results may be negative early in the course of HSV infection. We report a case of disseminated neonatal HSV infection that was diagnosed by type 1 HSV PCR on day 8 of admission. Despite delayed administration of acyclovir, the patient was cured and subsequently discharged after 30 days of admission. Fortunately, this patient was treated successfully, but delayed administration of acyclovir has the potential to lead to significant problems. Considering the seriousness of neonatal HSV infection, empirical acyclovir therapy should be considered if HSV infection is suspected.

Coagulopathy as a Prognostic Factor of Acute Lung Injury in Children

The coagulation cascade and inflammatory process are known to be associated with the pathophysiology of acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We retrospectively investigated laboratory values indicating coagulopathy obtained within 24 hr from diagnosis of ALI/ARDS in 79 children who received mechanical ventilation between 2008 and 2009 and their final outcomes. Prothrombin time (PT) (P = 0.001) and activated partial thromboplastin time PTT (APTT) (P = 0.001) were more prolonged in non-survivors than survivors (mean; 1.57 vs 1.33; 63 vs 57). In multivariate analysis with stratification by oxygenation-index ( or = 14.5), prolonged PT (> or = 1.46 international normalized ratio, [INR]) (hazard ratio; 2.043, 1.027-4.064) was associated with lower non-pulmonary-organ-failure-free survival rate (FFS), and prolonged APTT (> or = 50 seconds) (2.062, 1.031-4.121; 2.422, 1.227-4.781) was associated with lower overall survival rate (OS) and lower FFS. In stratification by ventilation-index ( or = 40), prolonged PT (2.232, 1.095-4.540; 2.177, 1.092-4.342) and prolonged APTT (2.574, 1.230-5.386; 3.089, 1.500-6.360) were associated with lower OS and lower FFS. Prolonged PT and APTT are associated with mortality in mechanically ventilated children with ALI/ARDS. We suggest PT and APTT as prognostic factors of ALI/ARDS in children.

A Case of Exertional Heat Stroke with Acute Hepatic Failure Treated with Plasma Exchange: A Case Report / 대한구급학회지

Heat stroke is a hyperthermia-induced systemic inflammatory response which may cause multiorgan dysfunction syndrome. We report a case of exertional heat stroke with acute hepatic failure in an 11-year-old boy. He initially presented hyperthermia and unconsciousness, which occurred after heavy exercise. His neurological state improved after terminating the hyperthermia by intensive cooling therapy. However, 24 hours after the initial recovery, his neurological state deteriorated again as acute hepatic injury progressed rapidly. We applied 4 times of total plasma exchange as an immunotherapy for systemic inflammatory response syndrome and acute hepatic failure expecting it to remove endogenous inflammatory factors and hepatotoxic cytokines. Following the plasma exchange, his mental state became normal and serial laboratory findings indicated improvement. He made a complete recovery without sequelae. We experienced successful treatment regarding exertional heat stroke with acute hepatic failure using plasma exchange.

Predictors of Mortality and Complication in Pediatric Patients Who Require Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit / 대한구급학회지

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study is to analyze the factors associated with mortality and complication in children requiring continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) in a pediatric intensive care unit. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 96 patients who required CRRT at a pediatric intensive care unit in Seoul National University Hospital between April 2005 and April 2011. We evaluated the clinical features, diagnosis, mortality risk factors and complications related to CRRT. RESULTS: Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to analyze the mortality risk factors of patients requiring CRRT. The overall mortality was 56.3%, the median age was 8 years, and the ages ranged from 4 days to 22 years. The median weight of the patients was 7.9 kg, and the weights ranged from 3.6-72.9 kg. 16 patients were diagnosed with primary renal disease, and the remainder with other underlying diseases. Mortality was higher in children who received stem cell transplantation and in children with a diagnosis of imunologic disease and neurologic disease. The Pediatric Risk of Mortality (PRISM) III score at initiating CRRT was 17.8 +/- 8.9 and the degree of fluid overload at CRRT (FO%) was 12.9 +/- 16.0. The PRISM III score at the start of CRRT and low uric acid level were the factors associated with an increased risk of mortality. Of the 96 children, 13 (13.53%) presented problems of venous catheterization. Hypotension during connection to CRRT was detected in 28 patients (29.2%). Clinically significant hemorrhage occurred in 10 patients (10.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Children who require CRRT have a high mortality rate. The higher score of PRISM III at the starting time of CRRT and the lower uric acid level are the factors associated with a higher mortality. The most frequent complication of CRRT was hypotension on connection to CRRT.

A Case of Severe Acute Exacerbation of Bronchial Asthma Treated with Low Minute Ventilation: A Case Report / 대한구급학회지

We report a case of severe status asthmaticus in a 3-year-old boy who required mechanical ventilatory support. He initially presented with rapidly progressing respiratory distress and spontaneous air leaks. Although he was intubated and received mechanical ventilation, dynamic hyperinflation and air leaks were aggravated. We applied the volume control mode, providing sufficient tidal volume (10 ml/kg), a reduced respiratory rate (25/minute), and a prolonged expiratory time (1.8 seconds) to overcome dynamic hyperinflation. After allowing full expiration of trapped air, his over-expanded lung volumes were decreased and the air leaks resolved. He made a complete recovery without sequelae. Dynamic hyperinflation in asthmatic patients occurs from incomplete exhalation throughout narrowed airways. Controlled hypoventilation or permissive hypercapnia is an important lung-protective ventilator strategy and is beneficial in reducing dynamic hyperinflation. We suggest a controlled hypoventilation strategy with a prolonged expiratory time for patients in severe status asthmaticus with dynamic hyperinflation.