Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the response of the LiDCO-rapid™ during intraoperative phlebotomy in anesthetized children prior to surgery for congenital heart disease. Methods After the induction of general anesthesia and endotracheal intubation, baseline vital signs were recorded, along with pulse pressure variability (PPV) and stroke volume variability (SVV) from the LiDC...

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE Although consensus-based guidelines exist for managing pediatric liver/spleen injuries, optimal phlebotomy frequency is unknown. We hypothesize surgeons order more phlebotomy than necessary and propose a pathway with one blood draw, early ambulation and discharge, fewer ICU admissions, and physiology-driven interventions. METHODS Records of 120 children with solid organ inj...

Hemochromatosis is a common genetic disorder in which iron may progressively accumulate in the liver, heart, and other organs. The primary goal of therapy is iron depletion to normalize body iron stores and to prevent or decrease organ dysfunction. The primary therapy to normalize iron stores is phlebotomy. In this opinion article, we discuss the indications for and monitoring of phlebotomy the...

Secondary erythrocytosis in cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD) is a compensatory response to chronic hypoxia which should be managed with caution. CCHD patients, who have compensated erythrocytosis but do not manifest significant neurologic symptoms, may experience secondary life-threatening complications such as stroke in case of inappropriate phlebotomy. This study reports a young man w...

A 64-year-old Caucasian male complaining of redness and tearing for 3 years in both eyes was referred for evaluation of cicatricial conjunctivitis. Ocular cicatricial pemphigoid was suspected and this diagnosis was confirmed through biopsy. The patient's condition showed moderate improvement following treatment with methotrexate and mycophenolate mofetil. The patient was later diagnosed with po...

Joseph McArdle examines the physiology of pancreatitis, discussing the nurse's contribution to the patient's recovery. He addresses the need for blood glucose monitoring during an acute episode, contrasts the risks associated with venepuncture and capillary sampling and identifies good practice in capillary blood glucose sampling.