Influence of Antegrade Pulmonary Blood Flow on Outcomes of Superior Cavopulmonary Connection.

BACKGROUND: We sought to characterize short- and long-term outcomes after superior cavopulmonary connection (SCPC) in children eligible for inclusion of antegrade pulmonary blood flow (APBF) in the SCPC circuit, exploring whether maintaining APBF was associated with outcomes. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with single-ventricle heart disease and APBF who underwent SCPC at our center between January 1, 2000, and September 30, 2017. Patients were divided into 2 groups: APBF eliminated (APBF-), and APBF maintained (APBF+) at the time of SCPC. RESULTS: Of 149 patients, 108 (72.5%) were in APBF- and 41 (27.5%) were in APBF+. Of those in APBF+, 5 (12.2%) subsequently had APBF eliminated after SCPC. Patients in APBF+ had a higher prevalence of chest tube duration >10 days and underwent more interventions during the post-SCPC hospitalization (1.9% vs 12%; P = .008 for both) but had shorter surgical support times at SCPC (P < .0001). There were no differences in post-SCPC intensive care unit or hospital length of stay. During the study period, 82 patients (76%) in APBF- and 22 patients (54%) in APBF+ underwent Fontan completion. Patients in APBF+ had a greater weight gain from SCPC to Fontan (6.7 [1.8-22] kg vs 8.15 [4.4-20.6] kg; P = .012) and a shorter hospital length of stay after Fontan (9 [4-107] days vs 7.5 [4-14] days; P = .044). CONCLUSIONS: Short-term morbidity associated with maintaining APBF at the time of SCPC is modest, but longer term outcomes suggest potential benefits in those in whom APBF can be successfully maintained.

Medical errors during training: how do residents cope?: a descriptive study.

BACKGROUND: Physicians' self-perceived medical errors lead to substantial emotional distress, which has been termed the "second victim phenomenon." Medical errors during residency are associated with increased burnout and depression. It is important to know how residents cope with self-perceived medical errors and how they gain personal and emotional support in order to develop effective interventions. OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of self-perceived medical errors on residents' well-being, the range of coping strategies during training, and the extent of personal and institutional support. METHODS: An online cross-sectional survey was administered via email in October 2018 to 286 residents across all specialties in a 548-bed single urban academic medical center. The survey covered three domains focusing on residents' most serious self-perceived medical error: (1) emotional response, (2) coping strategies using the BRIEF COPE Inventory, and (3) personal and institutional support. RESULTS: 109/286 residents from various specialties responded. Internal Medicine, Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine constituting 80 % of respondents. Self-perceived medical errors during residency were widespread (95 %). One in five medical errors was classified as moderate to severe. Most residents acknowledged a sense of guilt, remorse and/or inadequacy. Use of maladaptive coping strategies was high. Open-ended responses pointed to fear of retaliation, judgement, shame and retribution. Most residents disclosed their error to a senior resident but did not discuss it with the patient's family. Only 32 % of residents participated in a debriefing session. CONCLUSIONS: Most residents were directly involved in medical errors, which affected their emotional well-being. The use of maladaptive coping strategies was high. Residents' fear of consequences prevented disclosure and discussion of self-perceived medical errors. This information is relevant to implement targeted interventions.