Health professionals' perceptions about the decision-making process in the care of pediatric patients. / Percepção de profissionais de saúde sobre o processo de tomada de decisão na assistência a pacientes pediátricos.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the perceptions of physicians, nurses and nursing technicians of their participation in the decision-making process surrounding life support limitation in terminally ill pediatric patients, with comparisons by professional category. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the pediatric intensive care unit of a tertiary public university hospital with the participation of physicians, nurses and nursing technicians. The MacArthur Admission Experience Survey Voice Scale was used to assess and quantify the perceptions of professionals who assisted 17 pediatric patients with life support limitation within 24 hours after the outcome of each patient was determined. All professionals working in the unit (n = 117) who were potentially eligible for the study received a free and informed consent form prior to the occurrence of the cases studied. RESULTS: Study participants included 25/40 (62.5%) physicians, 10/17 (58.8%) nurses and 41/60 (68.3%) nursing technicians, representing 65% of the eligible professionals identified. The questionnaire return rate was higher for physicians than technicians (p = 0.0258). A perceived lack of voice was reported in all three professional categories at varying rates that were lower for physicians than for nurses and nursing technicians (p < 0.00001); there was no difference between the latter (p = 0.7016). In the three professional categories studied, three subscale items were reported. For two of the three statements, there were significant differences between physicians and nurses (p = 0.004) and between physicians and nursing technicians (p = 0.001). For one of the statements, there was no difference among the three professional categories. CONCLUSION: Respondents perceived a lack of voice in the decision-making process at varying rates across the three categories of studied professionals who assisted terminally ill pediatric patients with life support limitation, with physicians expressing lowered rates of perceived coercion.

Percepção de profissionais de saúde sobre o processo de tomada de decisão na assistência a pacientes pediátricos / Health professionals' perceptions about the decision-making process in the care of pediatric patients

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar as percepções de médicos, enfermeiros e técnicos de enfermagem sobre sua participação no processo de tomada de decisão de limitação de suporte de vida, em pacientes pediátricos terminais, comparando por categoria profissional. Métodos: Estudo transversal realizado em unidade de terapia intensiva pediátrica de hospital público universitário, terciário, com a participação de médicos, enfermeiros e técnicos de enfermagem. Foi usada a Escala de Voz da MacArthur Admission Experience Survey para avaliar e quantificar a percepção dos profissionais que assistiram 17 pacientes pediátricos em limitação de suporte de vida, nas primeiras 24 horas após o desfecho de cada paciente. Todos os profissionais que atuavam na unidade (n=117), potencialmente elegíveis para a pesquisa, receberam o Termo de Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido previamente à ocorrência dos casos. Resultados: Participaram 25/40 (62,5%) médicos, 10/17 (58,8%) enfermeiros e 41/60 (68,3%) técnicos de enfermagem, representando 65% dos profissionais elegíveis. A taxa de devolução dos questionários pelos médicos foi maior que a dos técnicos (p = 0,0258). Houve registro de percepção de falta de voz nas três categorias profissionais, em taxas variáveis, porém menos percebida pelos médicos do que pelos enfermeiros e técnicos (p < 0,00001); entre estes últimos, não houve diferença (p = 0,7016). Nas três categorias profissionais, foram assinalados os três itens que compõem a subescala. Em duas das três afirmativas, houve diferença significativa entre médicos e enfermeiros (p = 0,004), e entre médicos e técnicos (p = 0,001). Em uma das afirmativas, não houve diferença entre as três categorias profissionais. Conclusão: Houve percepção de falta de voz no processo de tomada de decisão, em taxas variáveis, nas três categorias de profissionais que assistiram pacientes pediátricos terminais em limitação de suporte de vida, sendo os médicos os que expressaram menor percepção de coerção.

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the perceptions of physicians, nurses and nursing technicians of their participation in the decision-making process surrounding life support limitation in terminally ill pediatric patients, with comparisons by professional category. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the pediatric intensive care unit of a tertiary public university hospital with the participation of physicians, nurses and nursing technicians. The MacArthur Admission Experience Survey Voice Scale was used to assess and quantify the perceptions of professionals who assisted 17 pediatric patients with life support limitation within 24 hours after the outcome of each patient was determined. All professionals working in the unit (n = 117) who were potentially eligible for the study received a free and informed consent form prior to the occurrence of the cases studied. Results: Study participants included 25/40 (62.5%) physicians, 10/17 (58.8%) nurses and 41/60 (68.3%) nursing technicians, representing 65% of the eligible professionals identified. The questionnaire return rate was higher for physicians than technicians (p = 0.0258). A perceived lack of voice was reported in all three professional categories at varying rates that were lower for physicians than for nurses and nursing technicians (p < 0.00001); there was no difference between the latter (p = 0.7016). In the three professional categories studied, three subscale items were reported. For two of the three statements, there were significant differences between physicians and nurses (p = 0.004) and between physicians and nursing technicians (p = 0.001). For one of the statements, there was no difference among the three professional categories. Conclusion: Respondents perceived a lack of voice in the decision-making process at varying rates across the three categories of studied professionals who assisted terminally ill pediatric patients with life support limitation, with physicians expressing lowered rates of perceived coercion.

Acid and Weakly Acidic Gastroesophageal Reflux and Pepsin Isoforms (A and C) in Tracheal Secretions of Critically Ill Children.

BACKGROUND: Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and pulmonary aspiration are frequent in patients in the ICU. The presence of pepsin in airways seems to be the link between them. However, pepsin isoforms A (gastric specific) and C (pneumocyte potentially derived) need to be distinguished. This study aimed to evaluate GER patterns and to determine the presence of pepsin A and C in tracheal secretions of critically ill children receiving mechanical ventilation. METHODS: All patients underwent combined multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH (MII-pH) monitoring. Tracheal secretion samples were collected to determine the presence of pepsin. Pepsin A and C were evaluated by Western blot. MII-pH parameters analyzed were number of total GER episodes (NGER); acid, weakly acidic, and weakly alkaline GER episodes; and proximal and distal GER episodes. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients (median age, 4 months; range, 1-174 months) were included. MII-pH monitoring detected 2,172 GER episodes (77.0% were weakly acidic; 71.7% were proximal). The median NGER episodes per patient was 59.5 (25th-75th percentile, 20.3-85.3). Weakly acidic GER episodes per patient were significantly more frequent than acid GER episodes per patient (median [25th-75th percentile], 43.5 [20.3-68.3] vs 1.0 [0-13.8], respectively; P < .001). Only three patients had an altered acid reflux index (44.9%, 12.7%, and 13.6%) while not taking antacid drugs. Pepsin A was found in 100% of samples and pepsin C in 76.5%. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of GER episodes of children in the ICU were proximal and weakly acidic. All patients had aspiration of gastric contents as detected by pepsin A in tracheal fluid. A specific pepsin assay should be performed to establish gastropulmonary aspiration because pepsin C was found in > 70% of samples.

Programa de Transplante Hepático Infantil do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre: resultados dos doze primeiros transplantes hepáticos intervivos / Pediatric liver transplantation program: results of living liver transplantation

Introdução: O Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA) é pioneiro na realização de transplante hepático infantil (THI) no RS. A menor oferta de doadores falecidos tem estimulado a realização de transplante hepático (TxH) intervivos. Objetivo: Descrever os resultados do THI intervivos do programa THI-HCPA. Método: Estudo descritivo. Incluídos: receptores de TxH intervivos, 18 anos, ambos os sexos e respectivos doadores, voluntários, ambos os sexos. Excluídos: insufi ciência hepática aguda. Variáveis: receptores: características clínico-demográficas, antropométricas; sorologias para Citomegalovírus (CMV) e Epstein-Barr (EBV); incidência de complicações pós-operatórias, tempo de internação, sobrevida 12 meses; doadores: características clínico-demográficas, sobrevida 12 meses. Todas as cirurgias foram realizadas pelo mesmo cirurgião e os dados, coletados prospectivamente. Estudo aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa do HCPA (13-0208). Resultados: Doze TxH intervivos incluídos. Idade dos receptores: mediana=2 anos (sexo feminino:7). Espera em lista: 141,4±10,3d. Indicação de TxH: 83,3% atresia biliar. IMC normal: 100%. Child- -Pugh: C:7/12(58%). PELD: mediana=11,9a. Pré-TxH:IgG+CMV (10); IgG+EBV(4); ascite (7); peritonite bacteriana espontânea (3), hiponatremia dilucional (7); encefalopatia hepática (2); varizes esofágicas (4); hemorragia digestiva alta (3). Idade dos doadores: 31,8±8,4a. Sexo feminino=50%; 92% aparentado. Pesos receptor/doador: 19,2±8,9%. Implante do segmento hepático lateral esquerdo: 100%. Tempo de isquemia total: 1,34±0,67h. Duração da cirurgia: 5,94±2,58h. Duração da internação (receptores): 30,6 ± 25,2d. Complicações receptores: vascular (4), biliar (3), steal syndrome (1), small for size (2), sepse (1). Reintervenções cirúrgicas: 5. Tempo de permanência em UTI: mediana=9d. Primo-infecção: CMV (1), EBV (3). Rejeição celular aguda (4). Sobrevida em 1 ano: 76,7%. Tempo de internação(doadores): 8,1±4,0 d. Complicações ao doador: dor pós-operatória (80%). Conclusão: Os nossos resultados se assemelham àqueles da literatura no que se refere à incidência de complicações. A cirurgia tem se mostrado segura para o doador (AU)

Introduction: Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA) is a pioneer in conducting child liver transplantation (CLT) in RS. The lower supply of deceased donors has stimulated living liver transplant (LTx). Aim: To describe the results of living CLT in the THI-HCPA program. Methods: A descriptive study that included: LTx recipients from living donor, ≤ 18 years old, both sexes and their donors, volunteers, both sexes; and excluded: acute liver failure. Variables: Receptors: clinical, demographic and anthropometric characteristics, serology for cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, incidence of postoperative complications, length of stay, 12-month survival; Donors: demographic and clinical characteristics, 12-month survival. All surgeries were performed by the same surgeon and the data were collected prospectively. This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the HCPA (13-0208). Results: Twelve LTx from living donors were included. Age of recipients: median = 2 years (female: 7). Waiting in list: 141.4 ± 10.3 d. Indication for liver transplantation: 83.3% biliary atresia. Normal BMI: 100%. Child-Pugh C:7/12 (58%). PELD: median = 11.9a. Pre-LTx: CMV+IgG (10), EBV+IgG (4), ascites (7), spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (3), dilutional hyponatremia (7), hepatic encephalopathy (2), esophageal varices (4), high gastrointestinal bleeding (3). Donor age: 31.8 ± 8.4. Female = 50%, 92% related. Receiver/giver weights: 19.2 ± 8.9%. Implantation of left lateral hepatic segment: 100%. Total ischemic time: 1.34 ± 0.67 h. Length of surgery: 5.94 ± 2.58 h. Duration of hospitalization (receivers): 30.6 ± 25.2 d. Complications in receptors: vascular (4), bile (3), steal syndrome (1), small for size (2), sepsis (1). Surgical re-interventions: 5. Time in ICU: median = 9d. Primary infection: CMV (1), EBV (3). Acute cellular rejection (4). 1-year survival: 76.7%. Length of hospital stay (donors): 8.1 ± 4.0d. Donor complications: postoperative pain (80%). Conclusion: The results resemble those of the literature regarding the incidence of complications. The surgery has been shown to be safe for the donor (AU)

Admission source and mortality in a pediatric intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Studies carried out in different countries have shown that source of patient admission in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) is associated to death. Patients admitted from wards show a greater ICU mortality. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between admission source and outcome in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied all PICU admissions that took place between January 2002 and December 2005 in a tertiary hospital in Brazil. The major outcome studied was death while in the PICU. The independent variable analyzed was admission source, defined either as pediatric emergency room (PER), wards, operating room (OR) of the same hospital or other sources. RESULTS: A total of 1823 admissions were studied. The overall expected mortality based on the Pediatric Index of Mortality 2 was 6.5% and the observed mortality was 10.3%. In adjusted analysis, the mortality was doubled in patients admitted from wards when compared with the PER patients. CONCLUSIONS: Observed mortality rates were higher in patients admitted from wards within the same hospital, even after adjustment.

Linfo-histiocitose hemofagocítica: tratamento com plasmaferese e gamaglobulina endovenosa / Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocitosis: treatment with plasmapheresis and intravenous immunoglobulin

O presente relato de caso tem como finalidade chamar a atenção de doença grave que frequentemente é confundida com septicemia, no entanto o mecanismo etiológico é decorrente de defeitos genéticos ou associados à resposta imunológica exagerada, decorrente de ação citotóxica de linfócitos T CD8 e histiócitos, acarretando proliferação clonal e ativação de células ”natural killer” (NK). Uma tempestade de linfocinas acontece e como consequência é iniciada uma incontrolável hemofagocitose de todos os elementos sanguíneos, terminando pela infecção secundária do organismo por ausência de destruição de patógenos. A maioria dos casos termina pela morte do paciente; no entanto, relatamos nesse caso a possibilidade de incluirmos a plasmaferese como forma de retirar as linfocinas circulantes, razão do estímulo à destruição celular. O tratamento concomitante com alta dose de imunoglobulina endovenosa também foi realizado

The purpose of the present case report is to call attention to a serious disease that is often mistaken with septicemia, although its etiological mechanism results from genetic defects or is associated with an immune over-reaction, resulting from cytotoxic action of CD8 T lymphocytes and histiocytes, causing clonal proliferation and activation of “natural killer” (NK) cells. There occurs a storm of lymphokines and, as a consequence, an uncontrollable hemophagocytosis of all blood elements, which leads to secondary infection of the organism because of absence of pathogens destruction. Although most of the cases end up in death, in this case we report the possibility of including plasmapheresis as a way to remove the circulating lymphokines, the reason for stimulation of cell destruction. Co-treatment with high dose of intravenous immunoglobulin was performed too

Evidence of safety of chloral hydrate for prolonged sedation in PICU in a tertiary teaching hospital in southern Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the utilization of chloral hydrate (CH) for sedation in pediatric intensive care and the incidence of adverse drug reactions. METHODS: This was a cohort study including patients with prescription of chloral hydrate hospitalized in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of a university-affiliated, general, tertiary teaching hospital. Data were collected from a spreadsheet for daily monitoring, and clinical events registered in the patient records were analyzed to evaluate the causality of suspected adverse drug reactions (ADR), applying the Naranjo algorithm. RESULTS: Three hundred forty-three patients who had been prescribed CH were studied. Ages ranged from 0 to 18 years, and 63% were male. The most frequent cause for PICU admission was bronchiolitis (77.6%), and 58.6% required mechanical ventilation. In 92.7% of cases, CH was indicated to control agitation and in 7.3% for procedural sedation. The median time of CH use was 6 days. The incidence of suspected ADR was 22.7% ± 2.3. Oxygen desaturation was the most frequent adverse event (64.6%), followed by hypotension. Specific treatment was required in 60.9% of the events. Chloral hydrate as cause for suspected ADR was classified as probable in 39 events (35.5%) and as possible in 70 (63.6%), and no event was classified as definite. In the multivariate analysis, only mechanical ventilation was predictive of ADR to CH. CONCLUSIONS: The study described the clinical practice of sedation with CH in the PICU setting of a tertiary teaching hospital in southern Brazil. Data suggest that CH is an alternative for prolonged sedation in PICU

Profile and consequences of children requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation in three Brazilian pediatric intensive care units.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the characteristics of children submitted to prolonged mechanical ventilation (MV), and evaluate their mortality, and associated factors as well as the potential impact at admissions to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study enrolling all children admitted to three Brazilian PICUs between January 2003 and December 2005 submitted to MV > or =21 days. The three selected PICUs were located in university-affiliated hospitals. From the medical charts were reported anthropometric data, diagnosis, ventilator parameters on the 21st day, length of MV, length of stay in the PICU, specific interventions (e.g., tracheostomy), and outcome. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-four children (190 admissions) were submitted to prolonged MV (2.5% of all admissions to these 3 Brazilian PICUs), with a median age of 6 months. The mortality rate was 48% and the median time on MV was 32 days. Tracheostomy was performed on only 19% of the patients and, on average after 32 days of intubation. Mortality was associated with peak inspiratory pressure >25 cm H2O (odds ratio = 2.3; 1.1-5.1), fraction of inspired oxygen >0.5 (odds ratio = 6.3; 2.2-18.1), and vasoactive drug infusion (odds ratio = 2.6; 1.1-5.9) on the 21st day of MV. Seventy-six children (1% of the all admissions) were dependent on MV without other organ failures were 830 PICU admissions and were potentially prevented. CONCLUSIONS: A small group of children admitted to the PICU requires prolonged MV. The elevated mortality rate is associated with higher ventilatory parameters and vasoactive drug support on the 21st day of MV. Stable children requiring prolonged MV in the PICU potentially prevent additional admissions of a large number of acute and unstable patients.

Validação de escalas de sedação em crianças submetidas à ventilação mecânica internadas em uma unidade de terapia intensiva pediátrica terciária / Validation of sedation scores in mechanically ventilated children admitted to a tertiary pediatric intensive care unit

OBJETIVOS: O uso de escalas de sedação é fundamental em unidades de terapia intensiva pediátrica. A escala Comfort-Behavior é validada para avaliação de crianças, contudo, é um instrumento extenso. A escala de avaliação da atividade motora está validada para adultos, é mais simples do que a anterior e possível de ser usada em crianças. Nenhuma dessas escalas está validada na língua portuguesa. O objetivo primário deste estudo foi validar as duas escalas traduzidas para o português em crianças submetidas à ventilação mecânica. Os objetivos secundários foram avaliar o nível de sedação dos pacientes em ventilação mecânica de unidades de terapia intensiva pediátrica terciária e comparar o desempenho das duas escalas nesta população. MÉTODOS: Após a tradução para o português, as escalas foram aplicadas em 26 pacientes por dois médicos, simultaneamente. Obteve-se um total de 116 observações por escala. RESULTADOS: O coeficiente de correlação intraclasse foi 0,90 (IC95 por cento 0,85 - 0,93) para a escala Comfort-Behavior e 0,94 (IC 95 por cento 0,92 - 0,96) para a avaliação da atividade motora. O alfa de Crombach para o observador A ao aplicar a escala Comfort-Behvior foi 0,81 e para o observador B, 0,92. O coeficiente de Spearman para o observador A foi 0,86 e para o observador B, 0,91. As aplicações das escalas revelaram pacientes bastante sedados, atingindo pontuações baixas em ambas. CONCLUSÕES: A validação das escalas Comfort-Behavior e avaliação da atividade motora para o português foi realizada com sucesso. Ambas foram adequadas para emprego em crianças em ventilação mecânica. Nas aplicações avaliadas, o nível de sedação observado na unidade estudada foi alto.

OBJECTIVES: Sedation scores are important tools for use in pediatric intensive care units. The Comfort-Behavior scale is a valid method for the assessment of children although it is considered an extensive scale. The motor activity assessment scale is validated for an adult population. We considered it simpler then the one above and suitable for application in children. None of these scores had been translated into Portuguese. Our objective was to apply both scales in Portuguese to a pediatric population under mechanical ventilation. Secondary objectives were to evaluate the sedation level of children on mechanical ventilation in tertiary pediatric intensive care units and to compare the Comfort- Behavior and motor activity assessment scales in this population. METHODS: After translating the scales into Portuguese, both were simultaneously applied to 26 patients by 2 pediatricians. Each scale was applied 116 times in total. RESULTS: The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.90 (0.85 - 0.93 CI 95 percent) for the Comfort-Behavior and 0.94 (0.92 - 0.96 CI 95 percent) for the motor activity assessment scale. When applying the Comfort-Behavior scale, the Crombach's alpha was 0.81 for observer A and 0.92 for observer B. The Spearman coefficient was 0.86 for observer A and 0.91 for observer B. These patients were found to be deeply sedated, showing low values in both scales. CONCLUSIONS: The scales were successfully translated into Portuguese and both were adequate to assess pain and sedation in the pediatric population under mechanical ventilation. Sedation level was high in this sample of applications.

Validation of sedation scores in mechanically ventilated children admitted to a tertiary pediatric intensive care unit. / Validação de escalas de sedação em crianças submetidas à ventilação mecânica internadas em uma unidade de terapia intensiva pediátrica terciária.

OBJECTIVES: Sedation scores are important tools for use in pediatric intensive care units. The Comfort-Behavior scale is a valid method for the assessment of children although it is considered an extensive scale. The motor activity assessment scale is validated for an adult population. We considered it simpler then the one above and suitable for application in children. None of these scores had been translated into Portuguese. Our objective was to apply both scales in Portuguese to a pediatric population under mechanical ventilation. Secondary objectives were to evaluate the sedation level of children on mechanical ventilation in tertiary pediatric intensive care units and to compare the Comfort- Behavior and motor activity assessment scales in this population. METHODS: After translating the scales into Portuguese, both were simultaneously applied to 26 patients by 2 pediatricians. Each scale was applied 116 times in total. RESULTS: The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.90 (0.85 - 0.93 CI 95%) for the Comfort-Behavior and 0.94 (0.92 - 0.96 CI 95%) for the motor activity assessment scale. When applying the Comfort-Behavior scale, the Crombach's alpha was 0.81 for observer A and 0.92 for observer B. The Spearman coefficient was 0.86 for observer A and 0.91 for observer B. These patients were found to be deeply sedated, showing low values in both scales. CONCLUSIONS: The scales were successfully translated into Portuguese and both were adequate to assess pain and sedation in the pediatric population under mechanical ventilation. Sedation level was high in this sample of applications.

The impact of admission to a pediatric intensive care unit assessed by means of global and cognitive performance scales.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of admission to the pediatric intensive care unit (ICU) at the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil on children's cognitive and global performance. METHODS: An observational, longitudinal study of a sequential sample of critically ill children. The following indicators were used: the Pediatric Index of Mortality (PIM), for severity and risk of death at admission, the Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category (PCPC), for cognitive morbidity and the Pediatric Overall Performance Category (POPC), for global morbidity, at admission and at discharge. Morbidity related to the ICU was measured according to the difference between classifications at discharge and at admission (delta scores). The Kruskal-Wallis test was applied. RESULTS: A total of 443 patients were assessed, 54% of whom were male, with a median age of 12 months (IQ 4-45), and a median ICU stay of 4.24 days (IQ 2.4-8). The mortality rate was 6.3%. The median PIM score was 2.36% (IQ 1-7). On admission, 46% of the patients had some degree of cognitive morbidity and 66% had some degree of global morbidity. At discharge there was 60% cognitive morbidity and 86% global morbidity. The assessment of ICU-related morbidity revealed that 25% of the patients had undergone cognitive changes while 41% had undergone global variations, at discharge compared with admission. CONCLUSIONS: Although affected by the elevated degree of morbidity at admission, the impact of the ICU stay was more significant in the global than in the cognitive domain. In the same manner, both risk of death at admission and length of stay had a significant effect on the morbidity of severely ill patients.

Impacto da internação em unidade de terapia intensiva pediátrica: avaliação por meio de escalas de desempenho cognitivo e global / The impact of admission to a pediatric intensive care unit assessed by means of global and cognitive performance scales

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o impacto da internação sobre os desempenhos cognitivo e global em crianças admitidas na unidade de tratamento intensivo (UTI) pediátrica do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. MÉTODOS: Estudo longitudinal, observacional de amostra seqüencial de crianças gravemente doentes. Foram utilizados os indicadores Pediatric Index of Mortality (PIM), para gravidade e risco de morte na admissão, Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category (PCPC), para morbidade cognitiva, e Pediatric Overall Performance Category (POPC), para morbidade global, na admissão e na alta. Para morbidade relacionada à UTI, foi utilizada a diferença entre as classificações de alta e de admissão (escores delta). Foi empregado o teste de Kruskal-Wallis. RESULTADOS: Foram avaliados 443 pacientes, sendo 54 por cento do sexo masculino, com mediana de idade de 12 meses (IQ 4-45), e mediana de permanência na UTI de 4,24 dias (IQ 2,4-8). A taxa de mortalidade foi de 6,3 por cento. A mediana do PIM foi de 2,36 por cento (IQ 1-7). Na admissão, 46 por cento dos pacientes tinham algum grau de morbidade cognitiva e 66 por cento de morbidade global. Na alta, 60 por cento de morbidade cognitiva e 86 por cento de morbidade global. Na avaliação de morbidade relacionada à UTI, 25 por cento dos pacientes mostraram variação na área cognitiva, enquanto que 41 por cento mostraram variação global na alta em comparação à admissão. CONCLUSÕES: Ainda que influenciado por elevado grau de morbidade na admissão, o impacto da internação na UTI foi mais importante no domínio global do que no cognitivo. Da mesma forma, tanto o risco de morte na admissão quanto o tempo de permanência tiveram efeito significativo na morbidade dos pacientes gravemente doentes.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of admission to the pediatric intensive care unit (ICU) at the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil on children's cognitive and global performance. METHODS: An observational, longitudinal study of a sequential sample of critically ill children. The following indicators were used: the Pediatric Index of Mortality (PIM), for severity and risk of death at admission, the Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category (PCPC), for cognitive morbidity and the Pediatric Overall Performance Category (POPC), for global morbidity, at admission and at discharge. Morbidity related to the ICU was measured according to the difference between classifications at discharge and at admission (delta scores). The Kruskal-Wallis test was applied. RESULTS: A total of 443 patients were assessed, 54 percent of whom were male, with a median age of 12 months (IQ 4-45), and a median ICU stay of 4.24 days (IQ 2.4-8). The mortality rate was 6.3 percent. The median PIM score was 2.36 percent (IQ 1-7). On admission, 46 percent of the patients had some degree of cognitive morbidity and 66 percent had some degree of global morbidity. At discharge there was 60 percent cognitive morbidity and 86 percent global morbidity. The assessment of ICU-related morbidity revealed that 25 percent of the patients had undergone cognitive changes while 41 percent had undergone global variations, at discharge compared with admission. CONCLUSIONS: Although affected by the elevated degree of morbidity at admission, the impact of the ICU stay was more significant in the global than in the cognitive domain. In the same manner, both risk of death at admission and length of stay had a significant effect on the morbidity of severely ill patients.

[Prevalence of systemic inflammatory syndromes at a tertiary pediatric intensive care unit]. / Prevalência das síndromes inflamatórias sistêmicas em uma unidade de tratamento intensivo pediátrica terciária.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of systemic inflammatory syndromes on admission to a tertiary-care university pediatric intensive care unit (ICU), and relate this to length of hospital stay, risk of death and mortality rate. METHODS: Cross-sectional, prospective, observational study, including all patients admitted to the Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA) ICU between August 1st 1999 and July 31st 2000. Patient demographic variables were considered together with the risk of mortality on admission, co-morbidities, length of hospital stay and ICU outcome, in addition to variables that characterize the systemic inflammatory syndromes (systemic inflammatory response syndrome, sepsis, severe sepsis and septic shock). RESULTS: We studied 447 admissions of 388 patients; 54% were male, with a median age of 20 months. The prevalence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) was 68%: 2/3 infectious (sepsis, severe sepsis or septic shock) and 1/3 non-infectious. Risk of mortality scores for patients with infectious SIRS were higher than for those with non-infectious SIRS (6.75% [P25 = 2.25 - P75 = 21.3] vs. 2.35% [P25 = 1.1 - P75 = 6.7]; p = 0) and increased according to SIRS severity (2.9; 10.85, 43.9%; p < 0.05). The observed mortality was 12% for patients with SIRS and 5.8% for those without SIRS (p = 0.057); the observed mortality for infectious SIRS was 14.9% and for non-infectious 6.3% (p = 0.041). The period spent in ICU for infectious SIRS was longer than for non-infectious cases: 3 days (P25 = 2 - P75 = 7) vs. 2 days (P25 = 1.5 - P75 = 4); p = 0.006. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence rate of patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome upon admission to HCPA pediatric intensive care unit was elevated, with a predominance of infectious syndromes, responsible for longer stays, increased risk of mortality and increased mortality of patients during the period evaluated.

Prevalência das síndromes inflamatórias sistêmicas em uma unidade de tratamento intensivo pediátrica terciária / Prevalence of systemic inflammatory syndromes at a tertiary pediatric intensive care unit

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a prevalência das síndromes inflamatórias sistêmicas na admissão em uma unidade de terapia intensiva (UTI) pediátrica universitária terciária e os respectivos tempo de permanência, probabilidade de morte e taxa de mortalidade. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal prospectivo observacional, com todos os pacientes admitidos na UTI do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA) entre 1º de agosto de 1999 e 31 de julho de 2000. Foram estudadas as variáveis demográficas dos pacientes, o risco de morte na admissão, co-morbidades, tempo de permanência e desfecho na UTI, além das variáveis que caracterizam as síndromes inflamatórias sistêmicas (síndrome da resposta inflamatória sistêmica, sepse, sepse grave e choque séptico). RESULTADOS: Foram estudadas 447 admissões de 388 pacientes; 54 por cento deles eram do sexo masculino, com mediana de idade de 20 meses. A prevalência de síndrome da resposta inflamatória sistêmica (SRIS) foi 68 por cento: 2/3 infecciosas (sepse, sepse grave ou choque séptico) e 1/3 não-infecciosas. O risco de morte dos pacientes com SRIS infecciosa foi maior do que naqueles com SRIS não-infecciosa (6,75 por cento [P25 = 2,25 e P75 = 21,3] versus 2,35 por cento [P25 = 1,1 e P75 = 6,7]; p = 0) e crescente de acordo com a sua gravidade (2,9; 10,85 e 43,9 por cento; p < 0,05). A mortalidade observada foi 12 por cento nos pacientes com SRIS e 5,8 por cento sem SRIS (p = 0,057); na SRIS infecciosa, a mortalidade observada foi 14,9 por cento e, na não-infecciosa, foi de 6,3 por cento (p = 0,041). A permanência na UTI na SRIS infecciosa foi significativamente superior à não-infecciosa: 3,0 dias (P25 = 2 e P75 = 7) versus 2 dias (P25 = 1,5 e P75 = 4), com p = 0,006. CONCLUSÕES: A taxa de prevalência de pacientes com síndrome da resposta inflamatória sistêmica na admissão da unidade de terapia intensiva pediátrica do HCPA foi elevada, com predomínio das síndromes infecciosas, associadas à maior permanência, risco de morte e mortalidade dos pacientes no período avaliado.

[Advances in sepsis diagnosis and treatment]. / Avanços no diagnóstico e tratamento da sepse.

OBJECTIVE: To present a critical and updated review about sepsis, focusing especially on diagnosis and treatment. SOURCE OF DATA: Literature review of Medline, including review articles, clinical trials and original research. SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS: The International Sepsis Definitions Conference amplified the list of possible clinical and laboratory signs of sepsis, which may allow for more efficacious suspicion and management. In terms of laboratory evaluation, in addition to the research for infectious agents, many inflammatory response markers, such as inflammatory cytokines and procalcitonin, have been identified. However, they lack sensitivity and specificity for safe diagnosis. In terms of treatment, early intervention to prevent hemodynamic disturbances is still essential for a positive outcome, together with the appropriate use of antimicrobials. The value of treatments to remove toxins and to increase the innate immune response has not yet been established. The use of isolated inflammatory response blockers, at any stage of sepsis, does not decrease mortality. The use of corticosteroid makes a comeback with encouraging results, even in patients without sepsis-related adrenal insufficiency. A large study on activated protein C (drotrecogin-alpha ) reports a 6% decrease in mortality in a selected sample, suggesting the possibility of a better prognosis for sepsis patients. CONCLUSIONS: In comparison to the advances of the past few years, little has been achieved in terms of decreasing sepsis-related mortality due to the complexity of the pathogen-host relationships. The individual regulation of host reactions did not have the expected effects. The benefits of some known strategies were confirmed. Other types of treatment, such as corticosteroids and activated protein C therapies, are emerging as promising alternatives. Research indicates that the combination of immune modulator therapies is probably the best choice to improve outcomes in sepsis.

Avanços no diagnóstico e tratamento da sepse / Advances in sepsis diagnosis and treatment

OBJETIVO: Apresentar uma revisão crítica e atualizada sobre a sepse, principalmente os aspectos diagnósticos e terapêuticos. FONTES DOS DADOS: Pesquisa bibliográfica em periódicos indexados em base Medline, tanto de revisão como ensaios clínicos e pesquisa laboratorial. SíNTESE DOS DADOS: A Conferência Internacional sobre Definição de Sepse ampliou a relação de possíveis sinais clínicos e laboratoriais de sepse, o que poderá permitir a suspeição e manejo iniciais mais eficazes. Na avaliação laboratorial, além da pesquisa do agente infectante, vários marcadores da resposta inflamatória tais como as citoquinas inflamatórias e a procalcitonina, têm sido identificados, mas ainda sem sensibilidade e especificidade suficientes para diagnóstico seguro. Quanto ao tratamento, as intervenções precoces sobre os distúrbios hemodinâmicos continuam sendo primordiais para o desfecho, assim como o uso racional de antimicrobianos. Terapias de remoção de toxinas e de aumento da resposta imune inata ainda não provaram definitivamente seu valor. O uso de bloqueadores da resposta inflamatória isolados, em qualquer fase do seu estágio, falhou em reduzir a mortalidade. O corticóide ressurge com resultados animadores, mesmo em pacientes sem insuficiência adrenal relacionada à sepse. A proteína C ativada (drotrecogina-alfa), em um grande estudo, mostrou redução de 6 por cento de mortalidade em uma amostragem selecionada, oferecendo uma possibilidade de melhor prognóstico na sepse. CONCLUSÕES: Comparativamente aos avanços dos últimos anos, pouco se obteve com relação à diminuição de mortalidade por sepse, pela complexidade das relações patógeno-hospedeiro. A regulação individual de cada reação do hospedeiro não mostrou o efeito esperado. Algumas estratégias, já conhecidas, foram reafirmadas como benéficas, e outras, como o uso de corticóide e a proteína C ativada, estão surgindo como terapias promissoras. As pesquisas apontam para a combinação de terapias imunomoduladoras como a melhor alternativa para melhorar o desfecho na sepse.

[Prescription of drugs not appropriate for children in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit]. / Identificação de medicamentos "não apropriados para crianças" em prescrições de unidade de tratamento intensivo pediátrica.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the extent of use of drugs not appropriate for children in prescriptions issued in a tertiary pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), according to FDA standards. METHODS: Observational cross-sectional study. The prescriptions issued to all patients admitted to the PICU at Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil, over a six-week period were assessed. Patients' age, sex, weight, prior disease, reason for admission to the PICU and pediatric index of mortality (PIM) were recorded, as were all drugs prescribed, their indications, presentations, doses, frequencies and means of administration. Adequacy for prescription of drugs in three pediatric age ranges was defined according to USA Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval classification, based on the USP DI 2001 drug reference database. RESULTS: Data were obtained in the months of July and August 2002, on different days, for six consecutive weeks, based on prescriptions issued to 51 patients in 54 admissions to the PICU. Median patient age was 10.5 months; 61% of patients were male. Two thirds of patients (65%) presented prior disease. 87% of admissions were due to clinical reasons, of which 57% were respiratory complaints. A total of 747 prescription items were registered, with prevalence of 10.5% for non-approved uses and 49.5% for off-label uses. No statistically significant difference was found in the distribution of prevalence of irregular prescription either by the three age ranges or by level of severity of disease at admission (according to PIM risk categories). CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of prescription of drugs not appropriate for children confirms, in the Brazilian context, the inadequate and inadvertent use of drugs either not approved or off-label for PICU use. This demonstrates the need to encourage further studies on the quality, efficacy and safety of drugs for pediatric use.

Identificaçäo de medicamentos "näo apropriados para crianças" em prescriçöes de unidade de tratamento intensivo pediátrica / Prescription of drugs not appropriate for children in a pediatric intensive care unit

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a extensäo do uso de medicamentos näo apropriados para crianças em prescriçöes de uma unidade de tratamento intensivo pediátrica (UTIP) terciária, de acordo com os padröes estabelecidos pela FDA. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, observacional, baseado na avaliaçäo das prescriçöes de todos os pacientes admitidos na UTIP do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, no período de seis semanas consecutivas. Foram considerados idade, sexo, peso, doença prévia, motivo de admissäo na UTIP, e PIM (pediatric index of mortality) dos pacientes, e todos os medicamentos prescritos e suas indicaçöes, com as respectivas apresentaçöes, doses, freqüências e vias de administraçäo. O critério de adequaçäo na prescriçäo dos medicamentos seguiu a classificaçäo de aprovaçäo da FDA, baseada no catálogo de informaçöes de medicamentos USP DI 2001, em três faixas etárias pediátricas. RESULTADOS: Os dados foram obtidos nos meses de julho e agosto de 2002, em diferentes dias, de seis semanas consecutivas, baseados nas prescriçöes de 51 pacientes em 54 admissöes de UTIP. A mediana de idade dos pacientes foi 10,5 meses, sendo 61 por cento do sexo masculino. Dois terços (65 por cento) dos pacientes apresentavam doença prévia, e 87 por cento das admissöes ocorreram por motivos clínicos, sendo 57 por cento por causas respiratórias. Foram registrados 747 itens de prescriçäo, com prevalências de 10,5 por cento para medicamentos näo aprovados e 49,5 por cento para medicamentos näo padronizados. A distribuiçäo das prevalências de prescriçäo, tanto pela faixa etária quanto pelo nível de gravidade dos pacientes na admissäo (de acordo com as categorias de risco do PIM), nas três classes de medicamentos, näo mostrou diferença estatística entre os grupos. CONCLUSÄO: A alta prevalência de prescriçöes com medicamentos näo apropriados para crianças confirma, também no nosso meio, o uso inadequado e inadvertido de medicamentos näo testados ou de apresentaçöes näo padronizadas para crianças em UTIP. Isso aponta para a necessidade de estimular a realizaçäo de estudos sobre qualidade, eficácia e segurança de medicamentos para uso pediátrico

Retrospective study of the survival of patients who underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation in an intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical and evolutive characteristics of patients admitted in an intensive care unit after cardiopulmonary resuscitation, identifying prognostic survival factors. METHODS: A retrospective study of 136 patients admitted between 1995 and 1999 to an intensive care unit, evaluating clinical conditions, mechanisms and causes of cardiopulmonary arrest, and their relation to hospital mortality. RESULTS: A 76% mortality rate independent of age and sex was observed. Asystole was the most frequent mechanism of death, and seen in isolation pulmonary arrest was the least frequent. Cardiac failure, need for mechanical ventilation, cirrhosis and previous stroke were clinically significant (p < 0.01) death factors. CONCLUSION: Prognostic factors supplement the doctor's decision as to whether or not a patient will benefit from cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Estudo retrospectivo de sobrevida de pacientes submetidos à reanimaçäo cardiorrespiratória em unidade de tratamento intensivo / Retrospective study of the survival of patients who underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation in an intensive care unit

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical and evolutive characteristics of patients admitted in an intensive care unit after cardiopulmonary resuscitation, identifying prognostic survival factors.METHODS: A retrospective study of 136 patients admitted between 1995 and 1999 to an intensive care unit, evaluating clinical conditions, mechanisms and causes of cardiopulmonary arrest, and their relation to hospital mortality.RESULTS: A 76 percent mortality rate independent of age and sex was observed. Asystole was the most frequent mechanism of death, and seen in isolation pulmonary arrest was the least frequent. Cardiac failure, need for mechanical ventilation, cirrhosis and previous stroke were clinically significant (p<0.01) death factors.CONCLUSION: Prognostic factors supplement the doctor's decision as to whether or not a patient will benefit from cardiopulmonary resuscitation