The purpose was to compare time-based vs anti-Xa-based anticoagulation strategies in patients on ECMO. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis using multiple electronic databases and... Show moreThe purpose was to compare time-based vs anti-Xa-based anticoagulation strategies in patients on ECMO. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis using multiple electronic databases and included studies from inception to July 19, 2019. The proportion of bleeding, thrombosis, and mortality were evaluated. Twenty-six studies (2,086 patients) were included. Bleeding occurred in 34.2% (95%CI 25.1;43.9) of the patients with anti-Xa-based versus 41.6% (95%CI 24.9;59.4) of the patients with time-based anticoagulation strategies. Thrombosis occurred in 32.6% (95%CI 19.1;47.7) of the patients with anti-Xa-based versus 38.4% (95%CI 22.2;56.1) of the patients with time-based anticoagulation strategies. And mortality rate was 35.4% (95%CI 28.9;42.1) of the patients with anti-Xa-based versus 42.9% (95%CI 36.9;48.9) of the patients with time-based anticoagulation strategies. Among the seven studies providing results from both anticoagulation strategies, significantly fewer bleeding events occurred in the anti-Xa-based anticoagulation strategy (adjusted OR 0.49 (95%CI 0.32;0.74),p < 0.001) and a significantly lower mortality rate (adjusted OR 0.61 (95%CI 0.40;0.95),p = 0.03). There was no significant difference in thrombotic events (adjusted OR 0.91 (95%CI 0.56;1.49),p = 0.71). In these seven observational studies, only a small fraction of the patients were adults, and data were insufficient to analyze the effect of the type of ECMO. In this meta-analysis of observational studies of patients on ECMO, an anti-Xa-based anticoagulation strategy, when compared to a time-based strategy, was associated with fewer bleeding events and mortality rate, without an increase in thrombotic events. Show less
Objective:To describe the management of anemia at PICU discharge by pediatric intensivists.Design:Self-administered, online, scenario-based survey.Setting:PICUs in Australia/New Zealand, Europe,... Show moreObjective:To describe the management of anemia at PICU discharge by pediatric intensivists.Design:Self-administered, online, scenario-based survey.Setting:PICUs in Australia/New Zealand, Europe, and North America.Subjects:Pediatric intensivists.Interventions:None.Measurements and Main Results:Respondents were asked to report their decisions regarding RBC transfusions, iron, and erythropoietin prescription to children ready to be discharged from PICU, who had been admitted for hemorrhagic shock, cardiac surgery, craniofacial surgery, and polytrauma. Clinical and biological variables were altered separately in order to assess their effect on the management of anemia. Two-hundred seventeen responses were analyzed. They reported that the mean (+/- sem) transfusion threshold was a hemoglobin level of 6.9 +/- 0.09 g/dL after hemorrhagic shock, 7.6 +/- 0.10 g/dL after cardiac surgery, 7.0 +/- 0.10 g/dL after craniofacial surgery, and 7.0 +/- 0.10 g/dL after polytrauma (p < 0.001). The most important increase in transfusion threshold was observed in the presence of a cyanotic heart disease (mean increase ranging from 1.80 to 2.30 g/dL when compared with baseline scenario) or left ventricular dysfunction (mean increase, 1.41-2.15 g/dL). One third of respondents stated that they would not prescribe iron at PICU discharge, regardless of the hemoglobin level or the baseline scenario. Most respondents (69.4-75.0%, depending on the scenario) did not prescribe erythropoietin.Conclusions:Pediatric intensivists state that they use restrictive transfusion strategies at PICU discharge similar to those they use during the acute phase of critical illness. Supplemental iron is less frequently prescribed than RBCs, and prescription of erythropoietin is uncommon. Optimal management of post-PICU anemia is currently unknown. Further studies are required to highlight the consequences of this anemia and to determine appropriate management. Show less
Nellis, M.E.; Tucci, M.; Lacroix, J.; Spinella, P.C.; Haque, K.D.; Stock, A.; ... ; Pediat Critical Care Blood Res 2019
