Abstract
Accurate Doppler determination of pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) has recently become possible by measuring peak velocity of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and application of the Bernoulli equation. Since not all babies have TR, it is necessary to assess alternative methods; one is the assessment of the pulmonary waveform, dividing the time to peak velocity (TPV) by the ejection time (RVET). During a longitudinal haemodynamic study of healthy and sick term and preterm babies, the TPV/RVET ratio was measured on 258 occasions in babies who also had PAP determined by the TR method. Results: Overall, there was a weak correlation of TPV/RVET with PAP (r=0.43), with wide scatter, and the relationship was affected by gestation and ductal patency, eg. duct closed (n=96) r=0.51, duct large (n=127) r=0.33. All well babies <33 weeks (n=12) r=0.67. Conclusion: The way TPV/RVET ratio is related to PAP varies with gestation and ductal patency. Individual ratios are of limited value in predicting PAP. Ratios in prematures are lower at a given PAP than in term babies.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
