EVALUATION FOR PDA IN PRETERM INFANTS UTILIZING 7.5 MEGAHERTZ 2-D BCHOCARDIOGRAPHY

Abstract

Evaluation for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) by both Doppler examination and direct two-dimensional (2-D) echocardiographic visualization has been reported in term infants and children. However, visualization of a PDA in preterm infants with lung disease has been more difficult. Utilizing a recently developed 7.5 MHz mechanical scanner with interfaced 2-D directed pulsed Doppler we evaluated our initial experience in 14 premature infants with lung disease. Doppler sampling was performed at the pulmonary end of the ductus arteriosus from a suprasternal approach. Patients ranged in age from 1 day to 30 days (mean 11 days) and from 510 to 2300 grams in weight (mean 1015 grams). Imaging of the ductus arteriosus was successful in 13/14 (93%). Doppler evaluation of flow in the main pulmonary artery and descending aorta was successful in all. In 8 infants the DA was closed by both 2-D echo and Doppler exam (excluded by retrograde aortography in 2). In 5 infants a PDA was present by both methods. In 1 infant the DA was patent by Doppler exam but could not be imaged adequately by 2-D echo. This markedly improved imaging capability should allow longitudinal noninvasive studies of PDA morphology in premature infants with lung disease.