Manuseio do canal arterial patente no prematuro com síndrome de angústia respiratória: ligadura ou indometacina?

Abstract

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in low-birth-weight premature infants has been associated with congestive heart failure, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, necrotizing enterocolitis, intracranial hemorrhage, and death. Surgical ligation of the PDA in these infants has improved lung compliance, decreased the duration of assisted ventilation, and increased nutritional utilization. After the introduction of indomethacin for the pharmacological interruption of the PDA in the last decade, several studies have been reported which attempted to establish advantages of the pharmacological treatment over the surgical ligature. The purpose of our study is to compare the results obtained in 48 consecutive patients (Group 1) who underwent surgical ligature of the PDA in the last 8 years, with 28 patients (Group 2), who underwent indomethacin therapy. The mean gestational age of Group 1 was 29.13 ± 2.33 weeks (range, 24-34 weeks), and 28.39 ± 2.30 weeks (range, 25-32 weeks) in Group 2. The mean birth weight was 954.17 ± 220.86 g (range, 540-1750 g) in Group 1, and 923.21 ± 191.74 g (range 550-1400 g) in Group 2. Thirty three (60.75%) pts. from Group 1 weighed 1,000 g or less, and 21 pts. from Group 2 (75.0%) weighed less than 1,000 g. Nine pts. (32.1%) from Group 2 received indomethacin previously and were transferred to Group 1, due to failure to close the PDA or due to drug intolerance. Ligation of the PDA was performed in the neonatology intensive care unit, in 31 pts. (64.5%). Usually a small postero-lateral thoracotomy, with preservation of the latissimus dorsi and anterior serratus muscles, with thorax access through the 3rd or 4th intercostal spaces. The ductus is isolated by an extrapleural path, and ligated with two or three a medium hemoclips. In our early experience pleural drainage was employed routinely in all patients. Later, it was used only when the pleura was inadvertently opened, and more recently pleural drainage was used only in patients who had preexisting pneumothorax or excessive bleeding. The overall mortality in Group 1 was 18.75% (9 pts.) and in Group 2 was 25.0% (7 pts.). Four patients from Group 2 who were transferred to Group 1, died. Causes of death in Group 1, included sepsis, intraventricular hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis and focal perforations, and pneumothorax. Patients who weighed more than 1,000 g had a better survival and a shorter period of assisted ventilation than patients weighing less than 1,000 g. Despite the problems of comparison between the two groups, and limited conclusions that can be drawn from a retrospective and non randomized study, we believe that surgical ligature for PDA was associated with significant less morbidity and mortality, than patients treated with indomethacin.