Premedication for Nonemergent Intubation in the NICU: A Call for Standardized Practice

This paper discusses neonatal endotracheal intubation and the need for standardization in practice regarding the use of premedication. Intubation is common in the NICU because of resuscitation, surfactant administration, congenital anomalies, apnea, and sedation for procedures or surgery. Intubation is both painful and stressful. Unmedicated intubation is associated with several adverse outcomes including repeat and prolonged attempts, airway trauma, bradycardia, severe desaturation, and need for resuscitation. Most providers believe intubation is painful and that premedication should be provided; however, there is still resistance to provide premedication and inconsistency in doing so. Reasons for not providing premedication include concerns about medication side effects such as chest wall rigidity or prolonged respiratory depression inhibiting immediate extubation after surfactant administration. Premedication should include an opioid analgesic for pain, a benzodiazepine for an adjuvant sedation, a vagolytic to decrease bradycardia, and the optional use of a muscle relaxant for paralysis.

Predictors of Success of Immediate Tracheal Extubation in Living Donor Liver Transplantation Recipients

Background Early tracheal extubation of recipients following liver transplantation (LT) has been promoted and gradually replacing standard postoperative prolonged mechanical ventilation, possibly contributing to better graft and patient survival and reduced costs. There are no universally accepted predictors of success of immediate extubation in LT recipients. We hypothesized a number of factors as predictors of successful immediate tracheal extubation in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) recipients. Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of the following hypothesized factors: Model for end stage liver disease (MELD) score, duration of surgery, number of intraoperatively transfused packed red blood cells (RBCs) units and end of surgery (EOS) serum lactate, as predictors of success of immediate tracheal extubation in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) recipients. Methods In this prospective clinical trial, perioperative data of adult LDLT recipients were recorded. “Immediate extubation” was defined as tracheal extubation immediately and up to 1 hour postransplant in the operating room. Patients were divided into; extubated group who were successfully extubated with no need for reintubation, and non-extubated group who failed to meet criteria of extubation or were re-intubated within 4 hours of extubation. Results Of 64 patients, 50 (76.9%) were extubated early after LDLT while 14 (23.07%) were transported to the intensive care unit (ICU) intubated. After data analysis, it was found that EOS serum lactate, duration of surgery and number of packed RBCs units transfused intraoperatively, were good predictors of success of immediate extubation, while MELD scores had no statistically significant impact on the results. In addition, other factors such as EOS urine output and pH were shown to have significantly affected the results. Conclusions EOS serum lactate, duration of surgery and number of packed RBCs units transfused were predictors of post-transplant early extubation.

Three-year experience with immediate extubation in pediatric patients after congenital cardiac surgery

Background In pediatric cardiac anesthesiology, there is increased focus on minimizing morbidity, ensuring optimal functional status, and using health care resources sparingly. One aspect of care that has potential to affect all of the above is postoperative mechanical ventilation. Historically, postoperative ventilation was considered a must for maintaining patient stability. Ironically, it is recognized that mechanical ventilation may increase risk of adverse outcomes in the postoperative period. Hence, many institutions have advocated for immediate extubation or early extubation after many congenital heart surgeries which was first reported decades ago. Methods 637 consecutive patient charts were reviewed for pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Patients were placed into three groups. Those that were extubated in the operating room (OR) at the conclusion of surgery (Immediate Extubation or IE), those that were extubated within six hours of admission to the ICU (Early Extubation or EE) and those that were extubated sometime after six hours (Delayed Extubation or DE). Multiple variables were then recorded to see which factors correlated with successful Immediate or Early Extubation. Results Overall, 338 patients (53.1%) had IE), 273 (42.8%) had DE while only 26 patients (4.1%) had EE. The median age was 1174 days for the IE patients, 39 days for the DE patients, whereas 194 days for EE patients (p < 0.001). Weight and length were also significantly different in at least one extubation group from the other two (p < 0.001). The median ICU LOS was 3 and 4 days for IE and EE patients respectively, whereas it was 9.5 days for DE patients (p < 0.001). DE group had a significant longer median anesthesia time and cardiopulmonary bypass time than the other two extubation groups (p > 63,826.88 < 0.001). Regional low flow perfusion, deep hypothermia, deep hypothermic circulatory arrest, redo sternotomy, use of other sedatives, furosemide, epinephrine, vasopressin, open chest, cardiopulmonary support, pulmonary edema, syndrome, as well as difficult intubation were significantly associated with delayed extubation (IE, EE or DE). Conclusions Immediate and early extubation was significantly associated with several factors, including patient age and size, duration of CPB, use of certain anesthetic drugs, and the amount of blood loss and blood replacement. IE can be successfully accomplished in a majority of pediatric patients undergoing surgery for congenital heart disease, including in a minority of infants.

Incidence of Immediate Extubation After Pediatric Cardiac Surgery and Predictors for Reintubation

Objectives: The objectives were to assess the incidence of immediate tracheal extubation in the operating room after pediatric cardiac surgery and to investigate predictors for subsequent reintubation. Methods: This is a single institutional retrospective study including all patients who had a cardiac operation with cardiopulmonary bypass from 2011 to 2016. Patients who required preoperative ventilator support, postoperative open chest, or mechanical support were excluded. Predictors for reintubation after immediate extubation were analyzed only for patients with stage II palliation for single ventricle physiology. Results: Nine hundred nine qualifying operations were identified. Immediate extubation was performed in 590 (64.9%) operations. A multivariable logistic regression model showed that the identities of anesthesiologist ( P = .0003), year of the operation performed ( P < .001), cardiopulmonary bypass time ( P < .001), and type of operations ( P < .001) were significantly associated with immediate extubation. Reintubation was significantly less frequent in patients with immediate extubation compared to those without (6.1% vs 15.0%; P < .001). A subgroup analysis for stage II palliation showed that reintubation after immediate extubation was significant for younger age (0.42 vs 0.54 years, P = .044), lower Po2/Fio2 and Po2 at the last blood gas analysis (66 vs 98 mm Hg, P = .032 and 39 vs 47 mm Hg, P = .008), and higher inotropic score (2 vs 0, P = .034). A multivariable logistic regression model showed that only inotropic score was significantly associated with reintubation ( P = .018). Conclusions: Immediate extubation in the operating room after pediatric cardiac surgery can be performed in most patients. Inotropic score is a predictor for reintubation in stage II palliation.