Clearance of Persistent Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia in a Preterm Neonate With the Use of Combination Cefazolin and Ertapenem.

Late-onset sepsis caused by Staphylococcus aureus is a serious and relatively common complication encountered by preterm neonates in NICUs. Typical treatment regimens for invasive methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) include semisynthetic beta lactam antibiotics, such as nafcillin. This report describes the first use of a combination of cefazolin and ertapenem to successfully treat persistent MSSA bacteremia in a preterm neonate who failed traditional first-line therapy.

Age-based difference in activation markers of coagulation and fibrinolysis in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

OBJECTIVE: Coagulation system activation in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation results in hemostatic derangements. Thrombin generation markers like prothrombin fragment 1+2 and thrombin-antithrombin complex are sensitive markers of hypercoagulability. Plasmin-antiplasmin complex is a sensitive marker for fibrinolysis. D-dimers reflect thrombin generation and fibrinolysis. The aim was to identify the extent of hemostasis activation during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation by measuring thrombin-antithrombin complex, prothrombin fragment 1+2, plasmin-antiplasmin complex, and D-dimer. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary care academic center. PATIENTS: Children placed on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation from April 2011 to January 2013. INTERVENTIONS: Prothrombin fragment 1+2, thrombin-antithrombin complex, plasmin-antiplasmin complex, and D-dimer were measured on days 1 and 5 of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Data presented as median (interquartile range); nonparametric tests were done using SPSS. Twenty-nine children (52% < 30 d old [neonates], median extracorporeal membrane oxygenation length 151 hr) were studied. Complications included thrombosis in 14%, bleeding in 45%, and thrombosis and bleeding together in 10%. Thrombin-antithrombin complex, prothrombin fragment 1+2, plasmin-antiplasmin complex, and D-dimer levels were high on day 1 and remained increased on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. In neonates, all levels were higher on day 5 compared with day 1: thrombin-antithrombin complex (55.6 µg/L [30.7-76.0] vs 18.7 µg/L [10.9-34.6]; p = 0.03), prothrombin fragment 1+2 (2,038 pmol/L [1,093-4,018.5] vs 377.5 pmol/L [334.3-1,103.0]; p = 0.00), plasmin-antiplasmin complex (2,160 µg/L [786-3,090] vs 398 µg/L [296.8-990.8]; p = 0.00), and D-dimer (3.0 µg/mL [1.9-11.5] vs 1.5 µg/mL [0.6-2.9]; p = 0.01). Thrombin-antithrombin complex, prothrombin fragment 1+2, plasmin-antiplasmin complex, and D-dimer levels did not correlate with anti-Xa activity or heparin dose. In bleeders older than 30 days, plasmin-antiplasmin complex stayed elevated on day 5, but in patients with no bleeding complications, plasmin-antiplasmin level showed a declining trend. In neonates, plasmin-antiplasmin levels increased over the course of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation irrespective of bleeding. CONCLUSION: Despite our best efforts at adequate anticoagulation with unfractionated heparin, neonates showed persistent increase in coagulation activation on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Fibrinolysis activation may contribute to bleeding in patients older than 30 days. Different anticoagulation protocols should be individualized based on age.

Repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernias on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO): does early repair improve patient survival?

INTRODUCTION: The optimal timing of repair for congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) patients that require ECMO is controversial. Early repair on ECMO theoretically allows for restoration of normal thoracic anatomy but entails significant bleeding risks. The purpose of this study was to examine the institutional outcomes of early CDH repair on ECMO. METHODS: The records of infants with CDH placed on ECMO from 2001 to 2011 were reviewed. Since 2009, a protocol was instituted for early repair while on ECMO. For this study, three cohorts were analyzed: early repair (<72 h), late repair (>72 h), and post-decannulation. These groups were compared for outcomes regarding morbidity and survival. RESULTS: Forty-six CDH patients received ECMO support with an overall survival of 53%. Twenty-nine patients (11 early/18 late) were repaired on ECMO, while 17 patients had repair post-decannulation. Survival was 73%, 50%, and 64% for those repaired early, late, or post-decannulation, respectively. Despite significantly worse prenatal factors, patients repaired early on ECMO had a similar survival. When comparing patients repaired on ECMO, the early group patients were decannulated 6 days earlier (p-value=0.009) and had significantly lower circuit complications (p=0.03). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, early repair on ECMO was associated with decreased ECMO duration, decreased circuit complications, and a trend towards improved survival.

Tracheostomy placement in infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia: safety and outcomes.

Optimizing the timing and safety for the placement of a tracheostomy in infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) has not been determined. The purpose of the present study was to describe the data from a single institution about the efficacy and safety of tracheostomy placement in infants with BPD needing long-term respiratory support. We established a service line for the comprehensive care of infants with BPD and we collected retrospective clinical data from this service line. We identified patients that had a trachostomy placed using the local Vermont-Oxford database, and obtained clinical data from chart reviews. We identified infants who had a tracheostomy placed for the indication of severe BPD only. Safety and respiratory efficacy was assessed by overall survival to discharge and the change in respiratory supportive care from just before placement to 1-month post-placement. Twenty-two patients (750 ± 236 g, 25.4 ± 2.1 weeks gestation) had a tracheostomy placed on day of life 177 ± 74 which coincided with a post-conceptual age of 51 ± 10 weeks. At placement these infants were on high settings to support their lung disease. The mean airway pressure (MAP) was 14.3 ± 3.3 cmH(2) O, the peak inspiratory pressure was 43.7 ± 8.0 cmH(2) O, and the FiO(2) was 0.51 ± 0.13. The mean respiratory severity score (MAP × FiO(2) ) 1 month after tracheostomy was significantly (P = 0.03) lower than prior to tracheostomy. Survival to hospital discharge was 77%. All patients with tracheostomies that survived were discharged home on mist collar supplemental oxygen. In conclusion, the high survival rate in these patients with severe BPD and the decreased respiratory support after placement of a tracheostomy suggests that high ventilatory pressures should not be a deterrent for placement of a tracheostomy. Future research should be aimed at determining optimal patient selection and timing for tracheostomy placement in infants with severe BPD.