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Am J Perinatol 2023; 40(13): 1425-1430
DOI: 10.1055/a-1614-8538
Original Article

A Survey of Academic Neonatologists on Neonatal Electrical Cardioversion and Defibrillation

Chaitanya Panchangam 
1   Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Child Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
,
Catherine Rodriguez
2   Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
,
Peter C. Dyke II
1   Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Child Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
,
Adrienne Ohler
3   Department of Child Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
,
Akshaya Vachharajani 
4   Division of Neonatology, Department of Child Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
› Author Affiliations Funding There was no funding for this project.
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Abstract

Objective This study aimed to assess neonatologists' experience and comfort with neonatal electrical cardioversion or defibrillation (EC-D).

Study Design Electronic surveys were distributed to academic neonatologists affiliated with 12 Midwest academic hospitals. Neonatologists were asked about their residency training; years since completing residency; current certification/competency training in the Basic Life Support (BLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), and Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP); experiences with EC-D; availability of a pediatric cardiologist; and their comfort levels with such procedures. Standard statistical tests evaluated comfort with EC-D.

Results Seventy-two out of 180 neonatologists responded to the survey (response rate = 40%). Of them, 98.6% (71), 54.2% (39), and 37.5% (27) maintained current NRP, BLS, and PALS trainings, respectively. Also, 73.6% (n = 53) reported having performed neonatal EC-D. Of those, 50.9% (n = 27) indicated feeling slightly to very uncomfortable performing EC-D. We report a lack of BLS certification being associated with a lack of comfort (odds ratio [OR]: 0.269, 95% confidence interval [CI]: [0.071, 0.936]), and a positive association between a pediatric cardiologist being present and being uncomfortable (OR: 3.722, 95% CI: [1.069, 14.059]). Those reporting greater volume and more recent experience with EC-D report more comfort.

Conclusion Of neonatologists who performed EC-D, half of them reported being uncomfortable. BLS certification and experience are positively associated with comfort in performing EC-D. Simulations to increase training in EC-D should be offered regularly to academic neonatologists.

Key Points

  • Most neonatologists have performed EC-D, but many feel uncomfortable with performing EC-D.

  • Many do not maintain current certification in BLS, PALS, or ACLS.

  • Simulation training in EC-D will increase comfort with EC-D.

Keywords

neonatal defibrillation - neonatal cardioversion - neonatology survey

Authors' Contributions

C.P. designed the study and helped to write the manuscript. C.R. prepared the manuscript. P.C.D. helped to edit the manuscript. A.O. helped with the design of the study, interpretation of the results, and writing the manuscript. A.V. designed the study and helped to write the manuscript.


Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 01 July 2021

Accepted: 24 August 2021

Accepted Manuscript online:
26 August 2021

Article published online:
29 September 2021

© 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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