Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 13, 2026

Pediatric Animal Model of Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation After Prolonged Circulatory Arrest
04:55

Pediatric Animal Model of Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation After Prolonged Circulatory Arrest

Published on: May 26, 2023

Use of activated protein C in a case of paediatric septic shock

M Verre1, E Barozzi, M Piccirillo

  • 1Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Unit, S. Giovanni Di Dio Hospital, Crotone, Italy. marioverre@tiscali.it

Minerva Pediatrica
|January 13, 2006
PubMed

Insights

A pediatric case of peritonitis, septic shock, and multiorgan failure was successfully treated with drotrecogin alpha and standard care. This highlights a potential therapeutic option for severe pediatric sepsis.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric critical care medicine
  • Sepsis research
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Severe peritonitis can lead to life-threatening conditions like septic shock and multiorgan failure in children.
  • Conventional therapies for pediatric sepsis have limitations in improving outcomes for critically ill patients.
  • Drotrecogin alpha (activated protein C) has been investigated for its role in severe sepsis management.

Observation:

  • A 7-year-old girl presented with peritonitis, progressing to septic shock and multiorgan failure.
  • The patient received conventional treatment alongside drotrecogin alpha.
  • Clinical improvement and successful recovery were observed.

Findings:

  • The combined therapy of drotrecogin alpha and conventional treatment was effective in managing the severe clinical condition.
  • Successful resolution of peritonitis, septic shock, and multiorgan failure was achieved.
  • The case demonstrates the potential benefit of drotrecogin alpha in pediatric severe sepsis.

Implications:

  • This case suggests drotrecogin alpha may be a valuable adjunct therapy for pediatric patients with severe sepsis and multiorgan failure.
  • Further research is warranted to confirm the efficacy and safety of drotrecogin alpha in larger pediatric populations.
  • The findings contribute to the understanding of novel treatment strategies for life-threatening pediatric infections.

More Related Videos

Utilizing Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Devices in Acute Myocardial Infarction Complicated by Cardiogenic Shock06:10

Utilizing Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Devices in Acute Myocardial Infarction Complicated by Cardiogenic Shock

Published on: June 12, 2021

A Modified Sonographic Algorithm for Image Acquisition in Life-Threatening Emergencies in the Critically Ill Newborn11:27

A Modified Sonographic Algorithm for Image Acquisition in Life-Threatening Emergencies in the Critically Ill Newborn

Published on: April 7, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care01:29

Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care

Diagnosing Pulmonary EmbolismDiagnosing pulmonary embolism (PE) involves clinical assessment and advanced imaging tests. The preferred diagnostic tool is the spiral (helical) CT scan or CT angiography (CTA), which uses intravenous contrast media to visualize the pulmonary vasculature and identify emboli.A ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan is an alternative for patients unable to receive contrast media. This scan includes both perfusion and ventilation scanning. Perfusion scanning involves...
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors and Calcium Channel Blockers01:26

Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors and Calcium Channel Blockers

Receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are two critical categories of drugs employed in the treatment of pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). PAH is a disease that causes high blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries, resulting in chest pain, fatigue, and shortness of breath.
TKIs, such as imatinib (Gleevec), are particularly effective in tackling the growth and mitogenic factors that become upregulated in PAH patients. These factors contribute to the...
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Prostacyclin Receptor Agonists01:23

Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Prostacyclin Receptor Agonists

Prostacyclin receptor agonists are a class of therapeutic agents integral to managing pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). These drugs operate by mimicking the action of prostaglandin I2, or PGI2, a naturally occurring compound in the body.
These agonists bind to the IPR receptor situated on the plasma membrane of the pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. This binding triggers a cascade of reactions known as the GS-AC-cAMP-PKA pathway. This pathway results in the relaxation of smooth muscle...
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation IV: Pharmacological Management01:25

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation IV: Pharmacological Management

Pharmacologic intervention is crucial in treating cardiac arrest patients during ACLS or Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support. The ACLS algorithms guide the administration of specific drugs based on the patient's cardiac arrest rhythm, which includes pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT), ventricular fibrillation (VF), asystole, and pulseless electrical activity (PEA).EpinephrineIndication: Epinephrine is the first-line drug for all cardiac arrest rhythms.Mechanism of Action: Epinephrine...
Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care01:29

Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care

Venous thrombosis requires effective prevention and treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes and reduce potential complications.Prevention StrategiesHealthcare providers must prioritize preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) for all adult patients upon admission. Interventions depend on bleeding and thrombosis risk, medical history, current medications, diagnoses, planned procedures, and patient preferences. Patients on bed rest should change positions every two hours and, if not...