Steroid Use for Management of Vasoactive Resistant Shock in Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Patients: Experience of the Consortium of Congenital Cardiac Care-Measurement of Nursing Practice.

BACKGROUND

Although a variety of doses and duration of hydrocortisone have been reported as a treatment modality for congenital heart surgery patients with refractory hypotension, there remains a lack of understanding of the clinical use in pediatric cardiac programs.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to describe the current practice of steroid use for refractory hypotension in postoperative congenital heart surgery patients.

METHOD: Survey participants were recruited from the Consortium of Congenital Cardiac Care-Measurement of Nursing Practice. The survey focused on 4 areas: diagnosis, intervention, duration of therapy, and clinical decision making. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

Among the programs, 24 of 31 (77%) responded, with 21 (95%) using hydrocortisone as a treatment modality. Most, 20 (83%), reported no written clinical guideline for the use of hydrocortisone. Variation in dosing existed as 3 centers (14%) use 50 mg/m2/d, 6 (29%) use 100 mg/m2/d, and 8 (38%) indicated that dosing varies by provider.

DISCUSSION: Nearly all centers reported using hydrocortisone for the treatment of hypotension refractory to fluid resuscitation and vasoactive medications. Substantial variation in practice exists in areas of diagnosis, dosing, and duration of hydrocortisone. More research is needed to develop a clinical practice guideline to standardize practice.