Pearls • Hypotonic maintenance intravenous (IV) fluids are associated with mild to moderate hyponatremia in postoperative patients. Anesthesia, stress, and inflammatory mediators may contribute. Electrolyte monitoring in patients at risk…
Pearls • Common causes of acute flaccid paralysis in childhood include Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), acute flaccid myelitis, botulism, tick paralysis, periodic paralyses, and organophosphate poisoning. • Risk factors for respiratory…
Pearls • Gas exchange is optimized when pulmonary perfusion (Q) and alveolar ventilation (V A ) are tightly matched. The fractal design of the lung and gravitational effects on the…
Pearls • Coma is a state of unconsciousness with lack of awareness and loss of wakefulness. • A Glasgow Coma Scale score of less than 15 in children should be…
Pearls • Pediatric lung transplantation is an accepted option for children of all ages who have end-stage, life-threatening disease and all medical options for treatment have been exhausted. • Outcomes…
Pearls • Updated definitions and classification of pulmonary hypertension have helped to advance the understanding of pulmonary hypertensive diseases and facilitate drug trials. • Four classes of drugs have been…
Pearls • Three pathways to breathing failure are impaired neural control, failure of the muscles of breathing, and dysfunction of the mechanics of breathing. • Dysfunction of the mechanics of…
Pearls • The wide availability, ease of use, and low-risk profile of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) make it an attractive alternative to intubation and invasive mechanical ventilation. Consequently, its use is…
Pearls • The miniaturization and increased efficacy of centrifugal pump systems and low-resistance membrane lungs have resulted in a transition from roller pump devices to centrifugal setups in many centers….
