Safety of intrahospital transport for MR or CT scans in ventilated pediatric intensive care patients with congenital heart disease
Original Article

Safety of intrahospital transport for MR or CT scans in ventilated pediatric intensive care patients with congenital heart disease

Fabienne Oettgen, Nerejda Shehu, Heiko Stern, Peter Ewert, Christian Meierhofer

Congenital Heart Disease and Pediatric Cardiology, German Heart Center Munich, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany

Contributions: (I) Conception and design: F Oettgen, C Meierhofer; (II) Administrative support: F Oettgen, C Meierhofer; (III) Provision of study materials or patients: C Meierhofer, P Ewert; (IV) Collection and assembly of data: F Oettgen; (V) Data analysis and interpretation: F Oettgen, C Meierhofer; (VI) Manuscript writing: All authors; (VII) Final approval of manuscript: All authors.

Correspondence to: Fabienne Oettgen, MD. German Heart Center Munich, Technical University of Munich, Lazarettstrasse 36, 80636 Munich, Germany. Email: oettgen@dhm.mhn.de.

Background: MR or CT scans are often required in the treatment of pediatric intensive care patients. During the therefore needed intrahospital transport continuous ventilation of the patient must be maintained. Intrahospital transport is considered safe regarding changes in hemodynamics or adverse events (AEs). As those studies cover inhomogeneous patient groups, we analyzed the safety for ventilated pediatric patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) focusing on differences between manual and mechanical ventilation during transport and examination.

Methods: Retrospective monocentric case-control study covering a 10 years’ period in a tertiary cardiac center for CHD. Sixty-three critically ill ventilator-dependent patients, median 2 (0–37) months, were included. Fifty-one patients got ventilated manually and 12 patients got ventilated with a mobile ventilator. The data include vital parameters and blood gas data, as well as catecholamine support, occurrence of AEs and total duration of transport and examination.

Results: In both groups we found minor changes of vital parameters or blood gas data. Regarding the HR we found a drop from median 135/min before leaving the ICU to 130/min after returning to the ICU (P=0.0072) in the manually ventilated group and a drop from median 133/min to 123/min (P=0.0703) in the mechanically ventilated group. The median transport time including scan was higher in the manually ventilated group (P=0.0098) with a median duration of transport and scan time of 100 minutes (30–245 minutes) in the manually ventilated group and of 97.5 minutes (60–224 minutes) in the mechanically ventilated group. A total of 9 AEs was recorded, 7 (13.7%) of them in the manually and 2 (16.7%) in the mechanically ventilated group with a drop of the mean arterial pressure (MAP) and an increase in catecholamine support.

Conclusions: We consider both manual ventilation and mechanical ventilation for intrahospital transport safe for pediatric intensive care patients with CHD. Using a mechanical ventilator might have the advantage to react faster to changes in hemodynamics.

Keywords: Manual ventilation; mechanical ventilation; pediatric cardiology; congenital heart disease (CHD); transport ventilation

Submitted Jul 28, 2022. Accepted for publication Nov 14, 2022.

doi: 10.21037/cdt-22-384

Introduction

Prevalence of congenital heart disease (CHD) worldwide is 0.69–0.93% with the highest prevalences in Europe and Asia, severe CHD are found in 2.5–3/1,000 live births (1,2). Patients with CHD often require specialized pediatric cardiologic care. In the context of treatment of critically ill pediatric patients it may be necessary to perform investigations such as CT or MR scans which take place spatially separated from the ICU (3). As the therefore needed intrahospital transport is particularly hazardous the indication should be assessed critically. Furthermore, it is essential to ensure the cardiorespiratory stability and safety of the patients during transport and investigation as well as continuous ventilation (4,5). On this occasion, especially the monitoring of vital signs is a relevant factor to reduce mortality and morbidity and an experienced physician and a specialist nurse are recommended to survey the transport (6-8). The frequency of occurrence of adverse events (AEs) during the absence from the ICU varies interestingly wide from 1.7–79.8% according to different studies (5,9-11). This high variation may be due to very heterogenous patient groups in the different studies and the lack of a standardized definition of AEs (10). Common AE are a decrease of the blood pressure (BP) and venous oxygen saturation (SpO2), heart rate (HR) fluctuation and arrhythmia (5,9,10,12). AE occur more often during the transport of critically ill pediatric patients than during the transport of adult patients with 60% of pediatric intensive care patients showing a deterioration of vital signs (13,14).

The aim of our study is to evaluate the safety of intrahospital transport using a transportable ventilator versus conventional manual bag ventilation in intubated ventilated pediatric intensive care patients with CHD. We present the following article in accordance with the STROBE reporting checklist (available at https://cdt.amegroups.com/article/view/10.21037/cdt-22-384/rc).

Methods

We analyzed data of ventilated pediatric intensive care patients with CHD who underwent intrahospital transport for CT or MR scans. The study was performed as a retrospective monocentric case-control study covering a 10-years period. Only data that was collected and stored as part of routine clinical practice was used. The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki (as revised in 2013). The study was conducted in a retrospective approach and was reviewed and approved by the ethical review board of the Technical University of Munich (approval number: No. 155/19 S-SR).

Study population

During the period of January 2009 to December 2019, 63 ventilated pediatric intensive care patients with CHD underwent intrahospital transport for CT or MR scans at a tertiary care cardiac center. Twenty-three female and 40 male patients at an average age of median 2 months (range 0 to 37 months) were included in the study. Only patients ≤48 months with CHD who were intubated orotracheally or nasotracheally for ventilation on the ICU were selected for the study. All patients who met the previously mentioned criteria and who were accompanied ventilated to CT or MR scans were included in the study. Exclusion criteria were intubation in the radiology department and an incomplete patient record. A detailed description of the underlying diseases and purposes of the CT and MRI can be found in Tables 1,2.

Table 1

Patient characteristics

Characteristics Manually ventilated group (n=51) Mechanically ventilated group (n=12) P value
Age 1 month (0–27) 3 months (0–37) –
Need for catecholamine therapy 32 (62.8) 4 (33.3) 0.1037
Performed imaging
   CT 33 (64.7) 5 (41.7) 0.1932
   MR 18 (35.3) 7 (58.3) 0.1932
Diagnosis
   Cyanotic
    HLH 10 (19.6) 2 (16.7)
    TGA 3 (5.9) 0 (0)
    Aortic atresia 4 (7.8) 0 (0)
    Double inlet left ventricle 2 (3.9) 0 (0)
    TAPVC 1 (2.0) 0 (0)
    Tricuspid atresia 1 (2.0) 0 (0)
    Pulmonary atresia 4 (7.8) 0 (0)
    TOF 2 (3.9) 1 (8.3)
    Truncus arteriosus communis 1 (2.0) 0 (0)
   Acyanotic
    Coarctatio aortae 5 (9.8) 3 (25.0)
    ALCAPA-Syndrome 2 (3.9) 0 (0)
    CAVSD 4 (7.8) 3 (25.0)
    Persistent fetal circulation 1 (2.0) 0 (0)
    Shone syndrome 0 (0) 1 (8.3)
    Double aortic arch 1 (2.0) 0 (0)
   Undefined
    Cardiomyopathy 7 (13.7) 1 (8.3)
    Rhabdomyoma 1 (2.0) 0 (0)
    Congenital AV-Block III 1 (2.0) 0 (0)
    Aortopathy 1 (2.0) 0 (0)
    Sudden cardiac death 0 (0) 1 (8.3)

The data are shown as median (range) or n (%). CT, computed tomography; MR, magnetic resonance; HLH, hypoplastic left heart syndrome; TGA, transposition of great arteries; TAPVC, total anomalous pulmonary venous connection; TOF, tetralogy of Fallot; ALCAPA, anomalous left coronary artery origin from pulmonary artery; CAVSD, complete atrioventricular septal defect; AV, atrioventricular.

Table 2

Performed imaging

Imaging method Purpose n
MR Head 10
Heart 9
Heart + head 4
Angiography 2
CT Head 15
Thorax 13
Angiography 8
Heart 1
Abdomen 1

MR, magnetic resonance; CT, computed tomography.

Study methods

The patients were divided into two groups. The first group contains patients who were ventilated manually during transport, the second group got ventilated mechanically using a MR-compatible transportable ventilator (HAMILTON-MR1, Hamilton Medical AG, Bonaduz, Switzerland). The group allocation was not at random but chronologically as it was a standard procedure to manually ventilate patients during transport until the mentioned transport ventilator got introduced to the ICU and the mechanical ventilation turned standard. Vital signs and blood gas data were collected both before and after transport. The following study items were recorded: number and type of AE, duration of the absence from the intensive care unit, need and dosage of catecholamine therapy before and during transport. Since most of the patients in this cardiac ICU are in a postoperative state, we only examined the additional need for catecholamines or an additional dosage of catecholamines for patient transport to CT of MR scanning. AE were defined as patient-related events, e.g., a significant change of vital signs or an increased need of catecholamine therapy.

Statistical analysis

Vital signs, blood gas data and study items were analyzed before and after transport. The collected data was compared using a non-parametric Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test. Contingency data were analyzed using the Fisher’s exact test. Data analysis was performed using the software program GraphPad Prism® (GraphPad Inc., La Jolla, CA, USA version 9.1.0).

Results

The duration of the absence from the intensive care unit was significantly lower in the mechanically ventilated group (P=0.0098), as illustrated in Figure 1. The median duration of transport and scan time was 100 minutes (30 to 245 minutes) in the manually ventilated group and 97.5 minutes (60 to 224 minutes) in the mechanically ventilated group.

Figure 1 HR, glucose, Ca2+ and duration of transport and investigation. Box plot (Tukey). Total duration of transport including the examination. Manual ventilation (n=51), mechanical ventilation (n=12). *, P<0.05; **, P<0.01. HR, heart rate; Ca2+, calcium; t1, before transport and examination; t2, after transport and examination.

In total 9 (14.3%) AE occurred during transport and investigation, 7 (13.7%) in the manually ventilated group. They all consisted of a drop in mean arterial pressure (MAP), requiring adaptation of therapy. In the mechanically ventilated group 2 (16.7%) AE were found which as well consisted of a drop in MAP requiring adaptation of therapy. In both groups no hazardous AEs were recorded. A detailed description of the occurred AE is shown in Table 3.

Table 3

Complete adverse events during transport and investigation for the manually and mechanically ventilated group

Items All patients Manually ventilated group Mechanically ventilated group P value
CT + MR
   n 63 51 12
   AE 9 (14.3%) 7 (13.7%) 2 (16.7%) 0.9999
CT only
   n 38 33 5
   AE 4 (10.5%) 3 (9.1%) 1 (20%) 0.4456
MR only
   n 25 18 7
   AE 5 (20%) 4 (22.2%) 1 (14.3%) 0.9999

AE consisted of a drop in mean arterial pressure requiring an adaptation of therapy. CT, computed tomography; MR, magnetic resonance; AE, adverse event.

In both patient groups we found minor changes of vital signs and blood gas data before and after transport and MR/CT scan. In the manually ventilated group we found a drop of the HR from median 135/min [70–190] to 130/min [70–180], P=0.0072. The mechanically ventilated group had a median HR of 133/min [90–160] before and 123/min (95–150, P=0.0703) after transport and investigation, as illustrated in Figure 1. The median MAP was 53 mmHg [30–78] before leaving and 47 mmHg (24–86, P=0.5752) after returning to the ICU in the manually ventilated group and 59 mmHg [43–74] before leaving and 57 mmHg (48–80, P=0.7500) after returning to the ICU in the mechanically ventilated group. Regarding blood gas data we found a stable median PaCO2 of 50 mmHg [30–75] before leaving and of 48 mmHg (28–89, P=0.9116) after returning to the ICU in the manually ventilated group and of 53 mmHg [34–70] before and of 48 mmHg (37–66, P=0.1289) after the transport in the mechanically ventilated group. In both groups a decrease of the median Ca2+ value was noted. In the manually ventilated group the median Ca2+ value was 1.18 mmol/L (0.87–1.46) before and 1.17 mmol/L (0.77–1.45, P=0.0526) after transport and investigation. A significant decrease was observed in the mechanically ventilated group; 1.21 mmol/L (1.00–1.39) before and 1.17 mmol/L (0.98–1.27, P=0.0225) after the transport, as illustrated in Figure 1.

Complete vital signs and blood gas data of the manually and mechanically ventilated groups are shown in Table 4.

Table 4

Vital signs and blood gas data

Parameters Manually ventilated group (n=51) Mechanically ventilated group (n=12)
t1 t2 P value t1 t2 P value
Vital signs
   BP systolic (mmHg) 70 [35–100] 75 [30–120] 0.7685 80 [65–145] 85 [60–155] 0.6563
   BP diastolic (mmHg) 40 [20–65] 40 [20–70] 0.1758 45 [35–60] 48 [30–61] 0.9999
   MAP (mmHg) 53 [30–78] 47 [24–86] 0.5752 59 [43–74] 57 [48–80] 0.7500
   HR (bpm) 135 [70–190]* 130 [70–180]* 0.0072* 133 [90–160] 123 [95–150] 0.0703
   SpO2 (%) 93 [68–100] 95 [66–100] 0.2830 93 [69–100] 98 [72–100] 0.8359
Blood gas data
   SaO2 (%) 92 [63–99] 95 [59–100] 0.4797 93 [66–100] 95 [71–100] 0.8340
   PaO2 (mmHg) 55 [31–118] 66 [30–270] 0.3041 67 [37–159] 86 [33–268] 0.1685
   PaCO2 (mmHg) 50 [30–75] 48 [28–89] 0.9116 53 [34–70] 48 [37–66] 0.1289
   pH 7.4 [7.2–7.5] 7.4 [7.2–7.5] 0.8644 7.4 [7.2–7.6] 7.4 [7.3–7.5] 0.1777
   BE (mmol/L) 3.8 [−4.6 to 15.9] 3.2 [−4.6 to 21.0] 0.2642 6.6 [−5.4 to 19.0] 5.1 [−3.6 to 16.0] 0.4697
   HCO3- (mmol/L) 28 [21–42] 29 [21–41] 0.7413 29 [20–39] 28 [21–37] 0.7852
   Glucose (mg/dL) 109 [57–287] 107 [50–203] 0.4849 105 [80–169]* 82 [50–120]* 0.0210*
   Lactate (mmol/L) 1.7 [0.3–12.2] 1.8 [0.5–19.0] 0.8206 1.2 [0.5–19.0] 1.0 [0.5–20.0] 0.7500
   Na+ (mmol/L) 140 [124–170] 141 [128–175] 0.6294 143 [133–153] 144 [131–153] 0.3125
   K+ (mmol/L) 4.1 [3.1–6.6] 4.1 [2.9–6.0] 0.1550 4.0 [3.2–5.1] 4.0 [3.5–5.0] 0.6421
   Ca2+ (mmol/L) 1.18 [0.87–1.46] 1.17 [0.77–1.45] 0.0526 1.21 [1.00–1.39]* 1.17 [0.98–1.27]* 0.0225*
   Hb (g/dL) 11.6 [8.2–16.9] 11.5 [8.3–16.8] 0.7525 11.5 [9.4–13.5] 11.6 [9.7–13.3] 0.8792
   Hct (%) 37 [25–52] 35 [25–53] 0.8789 36 [29–44] 35 [30–45] 0.7969

*, P<0.05. BP, blood pressure; MAP, mean arterial pressure; HR, heart rate; SpO2, venous oxygen saturation; SaO2, arterial oxygen saturation; PaO2, partial pressure of oxygen; PaCO2, partial pressure of carbon dioxide; BE, base excess; HCO3−, bicarbonate; Na+, natrium; K+, potassium; Ca2+, calcium; Hb, hemoglobin; Hct, hematocrit; t1, before transport; t2, after transport.

Discussion

The duration of transport plus MR/CT scan was significantly lower in the mechanically ventilated patient group than in the group that got ventilated manually. As the duration of the intrahospital transport is associated with the occurrence of AE, patients might benefit from mechanical ventilation during intrahospital transports for that reason (15-17). The reduction of the time of absence from the ICU was especially visible in the patient group that underwent MR scans. The reduced duration may potentially be explained by faster MR sequences and more experienced team over the past years as it was already shown in a study regarding MR scans to detect musculoskeletal infections in infants (18).

The frequency of occurrence of AE of 14.3% during all performed intrahospital transports and investigations is in the low range compared to AE described in former reports [1.7–79.8% (5,9-11)]. This might be due to continuous monitoring of the serious compromised patients, the thorough preparations before leaving the ICU and the fact that only patient-related AE were analyzed in this study. No hazardous AE occurred and adjustments of catecholamine therapy were not in the context of a CPR.

The HR decrease that was found in both the manually and mechanically ventilated group was potentially caused by a deeper sedation of the patients during transport and investigation (19). Regarding the other vital signs there was no significant change between the time before leaving and after returning to the ICU found. This might also be due to the continuous monitoring of the patients (8).

The high variation of the patients’ PaO2 values could be due to the patient collective itself with many patients suffering from a cyanotic CHD. We expected to find a difference in the steadiness of the PaCO2 between the manually and mechanically ventilated group as mechanical ventilation promises a dedicated continuous monitoring. As no difference found in PaCO2 values, mechanical ventilation is not an advantage in this respect. As carrying along of more than 4 infusions during transports is associated with a higher risk for AE, the clinical practice has changed to limiting the amount of infusions for the period of absence from the ICU (15). In this context, the significant decrease of the blood glucose levels in the mechanically ventilated group might be explained. The tendency to hypoglycemic conditions in connection with intrahospital transport has been described before (20). In contrast one would expect an increase in blood glucose levels due to the increased stress level during transport and examination. Instead, a decrease in blood glucose levels occurred, so the reduced number of infusions that were carried along is a likely explanation. The dropped Ca2+ levels after transport and investigation in both groups might be a sign of hyperventilation. But since short-term hyperventilation is not meant to cause a decrease of calcium levels it is likely that the dropped Ca2+ levels after transport and investigation in both groups is also due to the limited amount of infusions carried along during the absence from ICU (21).

A limitation of the study is the small number of cases, especially in the mechanically ventilated group. Due to the retrospective study design, the data are dependent on the care and completeness of the transcription by the persons involved in the transport. Furthermore, only AEs directly related to the transport were analyzed, which is why no conclusions can be drawn about long-term complications such as a prolongation of the hospital stay as it has been described before in the literature (22).

Overall, we consider both manual and mechanical ventilation safe for intrahospital transport and investigations in pediatric intensive care patients with CHD. With that knowledge the decision to perform an investigation of a critically ill pediatric patient outside of the ICU might be eased. Still, the indication for a therefore needed intrahospital transport with its imminent AE has to be considered thoroughly and the transport itself should follow the recommended guidelines.

Conclusions

Both manual and mechanical ventilation during intrahospital transport and investigations are safe for critically ill pediatric patients with CHD. The duration of transport was significantly lower in the mechanically ventilated group which might be an advantage regarding the association of the duration of transport and the occurrence of AE.

Acknowledgments

Funding: None.

Footnote

Provenance and Peer Review: This article was commissioned by the Guest Editors (Yskert von Kodolitsch, Harald Kaemmerer and Koichiro Niwa) for the series “Current Management Aspects in Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD): Part V” published in Cardiovascular Diagnosis and Therapy. The article has undergone external peer review.

Reporting Checklist: The authors have completed the STROBE reporting checklist. Available at https://cdt.amegroups.com/article/view/10.21037/cdt-22-384/rc

Data Sharing Statement: Available at https://cdt.amegroups.com/article/view/10.21037/cdt-22-384/dss

Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at https://cdt.amegroups.com/article/view/10.21037/cdt-22-384/coif). The series “Current Management Aspects in Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD): Part V” was commissioned by the editorial office without any funding or sponsorship. The authors have no other conflicts of interest to declare.

Ethical Statement: The authors are accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved. The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki (as revised in 2013). The study was conducted in a retrospective approach and was reviewed and approved by the ethical review board of the Technical University of Munich (approval number: 155/19 S-SR) and individual consent for this retrospective analysis was waived.

Open Access Statement: This is an Open Access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0), which permits the non-commercial replication and distribution of the article with the strict proviso that no changes or edits are made and the original work is properly cited (including links to both the formal publication through the relevant DOI and the license). See: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/.

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Cite this article as: Oettgen F, Shehu N, Stern H, Ewert P, Meierhofer C. Safety of intrahospital transport for MR or CT scans in ventilated pediatric intensive care patients with congenital heart disease. Cardiovasc Diagn Ther 2022;12(6):779-786. doi: 10.21037/cdt-22-384

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