Rescuing patients with the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome and right heart failure after left ventricular assist device placement remains a challenge in patients with congenital heart disease. TandemLife Protek Duo (TandemLife, Pittsburg, PA) is a double-lumen cannula introduced via the internal jugular vein that can provide veno-venous extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation and right heart support. To our knowledge, we report the first case of successfully using the TandemLife Protek Duo cannula to provide veno-venous extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation and right ventricle support in an adolescent male with an existing right ventricle-pulmonary artery conduit and the melody pulmonary valve who developed severe acute respiratory distress syndrome after the placement of left ventricular assist device. The stability of the cannula enabled minimal recirculation-related hypoxia events, early mobilization, and ambulation. Our patient was discharged home after lung recovery and currently awaiting a heart transplant.
Introduction:
To prevent transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 to healthcare workers, we must quickly implement workflow modifications in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Our objective was to rapidly train interdisciplinary PICU teams to safely perform endotracheal intubations in children with suspected or confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 using a structured simulation education program.
Methods:
We conducted a quality improvement study in a tertiary referral PICU. After developing stakeholder-driven guidelines for modified intubation in this population, we implemented a structured simulation program to train PICU physicians, nurses, and respiratory therapists. We directly observed PICU teams’ adherence to the modified intubation process before and after simulation sessions and compared participants’ confidence using the Simulation Effectiveness Tool-Modified (SET-M, Likert scale range 0: do not agree to 2: strongly agree regarding statements of confidence).
Results:
Fifty unique PICU staff members participated in 9 simulation sessions. Observed intubation performance improved, with teams executing a mean of 7.3–8.4 out of 9 recommended practices between simulation attempts (P = 0.024). Before undergoing simulation, PICU staff indicated that overall they did not feel prepared to intubate patients with suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 (mean SET-M score 0.9). After the simulation program, PICU staff confidence improved (mean SET-M score increased from 0.9 to 2, P < 0.001).
Conclusion:
PICU teams’ performance and confidence in safely executing a modified endotracheal intubation process for children with suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection improved using a rapidly deployed structured simulation education program.
Introduction E-cigarette, or vaping, product use associated lung injury (EVALI) has become a recent concern among public health officials. Factors that contribute to the concern include an increasing number of cases over time, the severity of the illness, and an unknown understanding of the pathophysiology and etiology of the illness. Case Series We cared for three adolescent patients with acute respiratory failure secondary to EVALI. All three patients were treated with high-dose steroids in addition to antimicrobials, which resulted in clinical improvement and resolution of their respiratory failure. Pulmonary function testing was performed on these previously healthy patients both acutely and subacutely. Additionally, we report the results from the laboratory analysis of one vaping device fluid which revealed previously unpublished components within these products. Discussion EVALI is a recent public health concern without a known etiology which can cause life-threatening lung injury in patients without prior lung pathology. We hope these cases will highlight the importance of return precautions in adolescents with vague respiratory symptoms and provide a cautionary tale to providers while they counsel patients regarding the use of these products.
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