Expert review of respiratory medicine
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Expert Rev Respir Med · Dec 2014
ReviewAdjunctive treatments in pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a devastating process that involves pulmonary inflammation, alveolar damage and hypoxemic respiratory failure. Although advances in management approaches over the past two decades have resulted in significantly improved outcomes, death from pediatric ARDS may still occur in up to 35% of patients. ⋯ However, evidence-based data in infants and children in this area are lacking. In this article, the authors review the available evidence supporting (or not supporting) the use of non-ventilatory adjunctive strategies in the management of pediatric ARDS, including prone positioning, pulmonary vasodilators, β-agonists, steroids and surfactant.
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Expert Rev Respir Med · Dec 2014
ReviewNon invasive monitoring in mechanically ventilated pediatric patients.
Cardiopulmonary monitoring is a key component in the evaluation and management of critically ill patients. Clinicians typically rely on a combination of invasive and non-invasive monitoring to assess cardiac output and adequacy of ventilation. ⋯ These advances help to identify hemodynamic changes and allow for interventions before complications occur. In this manuscript, we highlight several important methods of non-invasive cardiopulmonary monitoring, including capnography, transcutaneous monitoring, pulse oximetry, and near infrared spectroscopy.
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Expert Rev Respir Med · Dec 2014
EditorialNew clinical practice guidelines on the classification, evaluation and management of childhood interstitial lung disease in infants: what do they mean?
The American Thoracic Society (ATS) recently published a clinical practice guideline regarding the classification, evaluation, and management of childhood interstitial lung disease in infancy (chILD). As disease entities among infants with ILD are often distinct from forms seen in older children and adults, the guideline encourages an age-based classification system and focuses on the diagnostic approach to neonates and infants <2 years of age. The guideline reviews current evidence and recommendations for the evaluation, relevant genetic studies, and management of symptomatic infants. Here, we summarize the ATS guideline, highlight the major concepts, and discuss future strategies aimed at addressing current gaps in knowledge.