The Use of the Extrauterine Environment for Neonatal Development (EXTEND) to treat Severe Diaphragmatic Hernia with Reversible Tracheal Occlusion (rTO) Results in Improved Pulmonary Growth and Function

Abstract

Background: Fetal tracheal occlusion (FETO) is a promising therapy for prenatally-diagnosed fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernia. We recently developed the EXTEND system to physiologically support the extreme premature infant. We wondered whether the EXTEND system could be utilized as an ex vivo platform for the application of lung growth enhancing strategies in CDH. Here we demonstrate that reversible TO applied during EXTEND support improves lung volumes and …