Pediatric extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We sought to summarize literature on communication and decision-making, end-of-life care, and ethical issues to identify recommended approaches and highlight knowledge gaps.

Swallowing-induced tachycardia is a rare phenomenon, with only 50 cases documented worldwide. We present a unique case of an adolescent with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) who presented with palpitations and a near syncopal episode. The patient was found to have a swallowing-induced atrial tachycardia. He underwent radiofrequency isolation of the right superior pulmonary vein and ablation of the right anterior ganglionated plexus, which led to a resolution of his symptoms. This case highlights the possible association between HCM and autonomic instability as potential aetiological mechanism for the tachycardia.

Anticoagulation management in pediatric extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is challenging with multiple laboratory measures utilized across institutions without consensus guidelines. These include partial thromboplastin time (PTT), thromboelastography (TEG), and antifactor Xa (aXa). We aimed to evaluate the consistency of TEG R-time, PTT, and aXa correlation to bivalirudin and heparin dosing. We conducted a single-center restrospective review of pediatric ECMO cases from 2018 to 2020 anticoagulated with bivalirudin or heparin. We collected up to 14 serial simultaneous TEG R-time, PTT, and aXa measurements over a 7 day ECMO course with corresponding bivalirudin or heparin dosing. We analyzed the correlation between bivalirudin, heparin, and the three measurements of anticoagulation. A total of 67 ECMO runs, 32 bivalirudin, and 35 heparin, and more than 1,500 laboratory values, of which >80% simultaneous, were analyzed. When assessing correlations at the individual patient level, there was no consistent correlation between dosing and at least one laboratory parameter in the majority of patients. Furthermore, 44% of the bivalirudin cohort and 37% of the heparin cohort exhibited no correlation with any parameters. There were statistically significant correlations only between bivalirudin and heparin dosing and the sum total of the different laboratory tests. These inconsistencies highlight the importance of multimodality testing of anticoagulation in the management of pediatric ECMO anticoagulation and cannot be relied on in isolation from bedside clinical judgment.

Purpose of review We aim to improve diagnosis of congenital heart disease (CHD) with cyanosis by physiology for general practitioners to reduce time to appropriate treatment. Recent findings New implementation of the critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) pulse oximetry screen has improved rate of diagnosis of CHD in recent years. However, many infants with cyanotic heart lesions often decompensate before screening in the newborn nursery, or have lesions that are not amenable to pulse oximetry screening and that present later in the emergency room. Recent literature has shown preoperative acidosis because of delayed diagnosis of cyanotic CHD worsens outcomes postoperatively. Wide availability of prostaglandin therapy and catheter procedures help to preoperatively stabilize critical cardiac patients. With a firm grasp of the underlying physiology of neonatal cyanotic CHD, practitioners can appropriately implement these therapies more judiciously. This early recognition will subsequently improve overall outcomes. Summary Physiologic diagnosis of CHD with cyanosis by general practitioners will allow initiation of appropriate management more quickly and effectively. This may avoid progressive clinical decompensation and acidosis until cardiology consultation and potential intervention are available.