How Arterial Lines Produce Waveforms

Ever wondered how PICU teams make those critical calls about blood pressure and vasoactive meds? On this episode, Dr. Monica Gray and Dr. Pradip Kamat dive into the real-world questions that come up during pediatric intensive care rounds. They break down the pros and cons of arterial line versus non-invasive cuff measurements, talk through blood pressure targets for tough cases like sepsis and brain injury, and share practical tips for weaning kids off vasoactive drugs. With a focus on the latest guidelines and research, Monica and Pradip offer actionable advice to help you fine-tune hemodynamic management for your sickest patients. Tune in!

Show Highlights:

• Relationship between blood pressure and cardiac output in pediatric patients
• Comparison of arterial line (invasive) versus non-invasive cuff measurements for blood pressure monitoring in the PICU
• Blood pressure targets for critical illnesses such as sepsis, traumatic brain injury, and respiratory failure in children
• Strategies for weaning vasoactive medications in critically ill pediatric patients
• Importance of accurate blood pressure measurement and monitoring in the PICU
• Discussion of organ autoregulation and its impact on blood pressure management
• Clinical assessment and individualized care in setting blood pressure goals
• Recommendations for initial vasoactive agents in pediatric septic shock
• Challenges and considerations in vasoactive medication selection and weaning
• Need for further research on pediatric vasoactive medication management strategies

References:

• Fuhrman & Zimmerman - Textbook of Pediatric Critical Care Chapter 110. Alder M et al. Pediatric Sepsis. Pages 1293-1309.
• Rogers Textbook of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine. Chapter 88. Fitzgerald J et al. Bacterial Sepsis.Pages 1469-1485.
• Reference 1 Weiss S. Vasoactive Selection for Pediatric Septic Shock-Where to begin. JAMA Network Open, 2025;8(4):e254726.
• Reference 2 Schlapbach LJ, Watson RS, Sorce LR, Argent AC, Menon K, Hall MW, Akech S, Albers DJ, Alpern ER, Balamuth F, Bembea M, Biban P, Carrol ED, Chiotos K, Chisti MJ, DeWitt PE, Evans I, Flauzino de Oliveira C, Horvat CM, Inwald D, Ishimine P, Jaramillo-Bustamante JC, Levin M, Lodha R, Martin B, Nadel S, Nakagawa S, Peters MJ, Randolph AG, Ranjit S, Rebull MN, Russell S, Scott HF, de Souza DC, Tissieres P, Weiss SL, Wiens MO, Wynn JL, Kissoon N, Zimmerman JJ, Sanchez-Pinto LN, Bennett TD; Society of Critical Care Medicine Pediatric Sepsis Definition Task Force. International Consensus Criteria for Pediatric Sepsis and Septic Shock. JAMA. 2024 Feb 27;331(8):665-674.