ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The effect of using uncuffed endotracheal tubes in children during interfacility critical care transport has not yet been assessed. We hypothesized that many children with uncuffed endotracheal tubes experience complications leading to replacement with a cuffed tube after arrival at a tertiary pediatric care facility. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective case review of all intubated patients transported by our dedicated pediatric critical care transport team to our pediatric intensive care unit over a 3-year period. The incidence of urgent reintubation was studied. RESULTS: A total of 213 children were referred for transport with an endotracheal tube in place, with 55 of those with an uncuffed endotracheal tube (25.8% of all intubated patients). Of those with uncuffed tubes, 24 patients needed their tubes replaced on an urgent basis by the medical team because of issues with ineffective ventilation (43.6% of patients with uncuffed tubes or 11.3% of all intubated patients). No cuffed tubes required replacement. CONCLUSION: Placing an uncuffed endotracheal tube in the critically ill child who is referred to tertiary pediatric care results in a significant number of these patients undergoing a repeat laryngoscopy, with all associated risks, to replace the uncuffed tube with a cuffed tube.
Subject(s)
Air Ambulances , Critical Care/methods , Emergency Medical Services/methods , Intubation, Intratracheal/instrumentation , Intubation, Intratracheal/methods , Transportation of Patients/methods , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Intensive Care Units, Pediatric , Male , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
Takotsubo syndrome is rare in pediatric patients but must be considered in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage with pulmonary edema and cardiomyopathy. A systematic, collaborative approach is needed to facilitate emergent transfer of patients where extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (e-CPR) is used as a lifesaving measure. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) use in transport requires preplanning, role delineation, resources, and research efforts to be successful. We present an unusual transport case of successful e-CPR/ECMO treatment of Takotsubo syndrome in a 12-year-old boy with an isolated traumatic intracranial injury, cardiomyopathy with pulmonary edema, and multiple cardiac arrests.
Subject(s)
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation , Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation/methods , Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, Traumatic/therapy , Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy/therapy , Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation/methods , Child , Humans , Male , Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, Traumatic/complications , Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy/etiologyABSTRACT
We report a case of Lemierre syndrome secondary to Streptococcus pyogenes in a 22-month-old girl. This case report and literature review took place at a pediatric intensive care unit at a freestanding tertiary children's hospital. Diagnosis occurred after the discovery of left internal jugular thrombus and multiple metastatic infection sites including the right knee, kidneys, lungs, and brain. Lemierre syndrome can occur in young children secondary to S. pyogenes, and a classic presentation may not occur. A high index of suspicion is crucial to the diagnosis.
