Vasoactive Agents
INTRODUCTION Print Section Listen Vasoactive medications and inotropic agents are utilized frequently in the pediatric intensive care unit for patients in various states of shock. Selecting the proper pharmacologic therapy…
PEDIATRICS
Hypertension
DEFINITIONS Print Section Listen Prehypertension is defined as blood pressures between the 90th and 95th percentiles for age, gender, and height.1 Note that these definitions are based on blood pressures…
Respiratory Formulas and Parameters
PULMONARY VOLUMES Print Section Listen Minute (or Total) Ventilation MV = Tidal Volume (VT) × Respiratory Rate (RR) Tidal Volume VT = VA + VD Alveolar Ventilation (VA): inversely proportional…
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)
BACKGROUND Print Section Listen Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a form of modified cardiopulmonary bypass that has evolved since the beginnings of bypass in the 1950s.1 It can be used…
Chronic Ventilation
RESPIRATORY PHYSIOLOGY IN THE DEVELOPING CHILD Print Section Listen Spontaneous ventilation requires adequate function of the central control of breathing, ventilator muscle function, and lung mechanics. Respiratory failure occurs when…
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF ACUTE RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYNDROME (ARDS) Print Section Listen Acute inflammation occurring as a result of either direct or indirect injury Hallmark of acute phase is diffuse alveolar damage…
Asthma and Status Asthmaticus
INTRODUCTION Print Section Listen Asthma is a heterogeneous disease of bronchial inflammation and bronchospasm. Status asthmaticus is a state of respiratory compromise characterized by bronchial inflammation and bronchospasm secondary to…
Other Critical Care Procedures
NEEDLE CRICOTHYROTOMY Print Section Listen This procedure involves the creation of a communication between airway and skin via the cricothyroid membrane. An over-the-needle catheter is then passed through the membrane….
