Clinical Research Directory

Precision TOF-Guided Sugammadex Versus Spontaneous Recovery for Early Extubation in Minimally Invasive Pediatric Cardiac Surgery

This prospective observational cohort study evaluates a precision neuromuscular management strategy in pediatric patients undergoing minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS). Integrating MICS with enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathways has transformed perioperative management of congenital heart disease by enabling earlier recovery and reducing dependence on intensive care resources. A key component of these fast-track protocols is early tracheal extubation, preferably in the operating room (OR). Successful OR extubation promotes rapid return to spontaneous ventilation, decreases ICU utilization, and reduces the respiratory and hemodynamic risks associated with prolonged postoperative mechanical ventilation. To address critical perioperative challenges, including improving recovery outcomes and optimizing resource utilization in low- and middle-income country (LMIC) children's hospitals, this study compares the clinical efficacy, safety, and resource outcomes of quantitative train-of-four (TOF)-guided sugammadex administration with actively monitored spontaneous recovery.

PULSE - Patient Understanding and Learning Through Structured Education - Effectiveness and Implementation of Patient Education Videos in a New Pediatric Cardiology Clinic

This study is looking at whether short educational videos shown during pediatric cardiology visits can help families better understand their child's condition while also making clinic visits run more efficiently. Families coming to a pediatric cardiology clinic may watch short videos related to why they are there (for example: chest pain, heart murmurs, fainting, sports clearance, or Kawasaki disease). The videos are meant to explain common heart-related conditions and answer questions before the doctor comes into the room. Researchers want to see if this: * helps parents and patients learn more, * improves satisfaction with the visit, * helps families feel more involved in decisions, * and reduces the amount of time doctors spend repeating the same explanations. How the study works: One clinic site in San Antonio, TX will start using the videos at different times. Researchers will compare clinic visits before and after the videos are introduced. Who is included: Children being seen in pediatric cardiology clinics and their caregivers. Pregnant women referred for fetal heart evaluations may also be included. What information is collected: Clinic timing information (such as wait times and doctor visit length), Satisfaction surveys, Optional knowledge questionnaires, Basic medical record information needed for the study. Risk level: The study is considered "minimal risk." Patients are still getting normal medical care. No drugs, devices, or experimental treatments are being tested. Privacy protections: Data will be stored on secure hospital systems. Researchers plan to remove identifying information when analyzing results. Medical record numbers are only temporarily used to connect survey data with clinic data. Why the study matters: The clinic hopes the videos can make visits less stressful, improve understanding for families, and help doctors spend more time on personalized care instead of repeating the same explanations over and over. It may also help clinics work more efficiently and reduce delays.

Evaluation of Analgesia for Cardiac Elective Surgery in Children

The purpose of this study is to look at a standardized methadone-based enhanced recovery after surgery protocol following pediatric cardiac surgery. This study will consist of randomly assigning children to receive the methadone-based recovery procedures or to receive current standard of care recovery procedures. Randomly assigning means that there is a 50/50 chance, like a coin flip, of being assigned to either research group.

Weaning From Mechanical Ventilation After Pediatric Cardiac Surgery

Weaning from mechanical ventilation post congenital cardiac surgery is often challenging. It is well known that not all patients can be early extubated, although most are suitable for early postoperative weaning and extubating despite complex operative procedures. With advances in anaesthesia management, cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), and surgical techniques, the trend of 'fast tracking', and early extubating of pediatrics postcardiac surgery seems to be feasible. Unnecessary prolonged mechanical ventilation increases the complication risks as airway trauma, ventilator associated pneumonia, and increased hospital stay

Impact of Preoperative Oral Carbohydrate Loading on Insulin Resistance in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Patients

Surgical stress and preoperative fasting can induce insulin resistance, characterized by impaired cellular response to insulin and resulting hyperglycemia. In pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery, this metabolic stress response may negatively affect postoperative recovery. Although preoperative oral carbohydrate loading, defined as administering a carbohydrate-rich beverage before surgery rather than prolonged fasting, has demonstrated efficacy in reducing postoperative insulin resistance in adults, evidence supporting its use in pediatric cardiac surgery remains limited. This randomized controlled trial aims to determine whether preoperative oral carbohydrate loading reduces perioperative insulin resistance, as measured by the Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), in pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The study will compare outcomes between children who receive an oral carbohydrate beverage prior to surgery and those who follow standard preoperative fasting protocols.

This is an Observational Study That Aims to Demonstrate Postoperative Risk Factors in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery

This retrospective observational study aims to identify risk factors for postoperative complications in children undergoing cardiac surgery at a tertiary hospital in Brazil. By analyzing both electronic and physical medical records, researchers will examine demographic, clinical, surgical, and laboratory data, focusing on variables such as cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time, use of vasoactive drugs, and the occurrence of complications such as arrhythmias, acute kidney injury, and infections. Statistical analysis will include both descriptive and inferential methods, with multivariate logistic regression used to identify predictors of adverse outcomes. The study will be conducted between 2025 and 2027 with an estimated budget of R$1,000. Its goal is to inform preventive strategies and optimize perioperative care, ultimately improving patient outcomes and reducing hospital costs.

The Effect of Preoperative Albumin Administration on Postoperative Acute Kidney Injury in Pediatric Patients With Hypoalbuminemia Undergoing Cardiac Surgery

The study aims to evaluate whether preoperative albumin supplementation in pediatric patients with hypoalbuminemia undergoing cardiac surgery can reduce inflammatory responses and prevent acute kidney injury (AKI) following cardiopulmonary bypass.