Surfactant Administration Research Articles

Enhanced INSURE (ENSURE): an updated and standardised reference for surfactant administration.

There is no firm consensus about the optimal technique for the administration of exogenous surfactant in preterm neonates, and different techniques may be equally effective. The intubation-surfactant-extubation (INSURE) procedure has not been fully described, and important details, such as duration and mode of ventilation, remain unclear, leading to significant clinical practice variations and influencing its suitability and feasibility. Since the first INSURE description, our knowledge in respiratory care has largely progressed, but the technique has not been updated according to current evidence-based practice. Thus, our aim is to formally describe a modern way to perform INSURE, based on the current knowledge and technology, to increase its feasibility and patients’ safety. We offer ENSURE (Enhanced INSURE) as an updated and standardised technique for surfactant administration, clarifying crucial issues of the original method by applying current state-of-the-art concepts of respiratory care. We performed a cross-sectional observational study enrolling 57 preterm neonates describing ENSURE feasibility and safety. Conclusion: ENSURE can be used as a reference technique in clinical practice, teaching and research. What is Known:• There is no consensus about the optimal method for surfactant administration. INSURE technique has been originally described many years ago without considering modern principles of neonatal respiratory care and the available state-of-the-art technology.What is New:• We here describe a modern way to perform INSURE, based on the current knowledge and technology. We called it ENSURE (Enhanced INSURE) and clarified crucial points of the original technique, in light of the current knowledge. We verified feasibility and safety of ENSURE in a cross-sectional observational study enrolling 57 preterm neonates.Supplementary informationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00431-021-04301-x.

Presumed adrenal insufficiency in neonates treated with corticosteroids for the prevention of bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

To determine if extremely preterm (EPT) neonates receiving dexamethasone for the prevention of BPD have a higher incidence of presumed adrenal insufficiency (PAI). Retrospective cohort study of neonates <28 weeks gestation examining PAI after dexamethasone use and PAI after intratracheal budesonide with surfactant administration. Of 332 neonates, 38% received dexamethasone. The incidence of PAI was higher in neonates who had received dexamethasone (20.8% vs 2.9%, p < 0.001). However, for intubated babies receiving surfactant, dexamethasone was not independently associated with increased PAI after adjusting for gestational age, birthweight, and race (aOR 2.92, 95% CI: 0.79-10.85). Dexamethasone was independently associated with increased PAI in infants previously receiving budesonide/surfactant treatment (aOR 5.38, 95% CI: 1.38-20.90). The use of dexamethasone alone was not associated with increased PAI, when adjusted for prematurity-related factors. The combination of budesonide with dexamethasone was significantly associated with increased PAI.

Surfactant Nebulization to Prevent Intubation in Preterm Infants: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Surfactant nebulization (SN) may offer a safe alternative for surfactant administration in respiratory distress syndrome of preterm infants. To evaluate the efficacy of SN for the prevention of early intubation. Medline, Embase, The Cochrane Library, clinicaltrials.gov, published abstracts, and references of relevant articles were searched through March 23, 2021. Randomized clinical trials of preterm infants <37 weeks' gestation comparing SN with noninvasive respiratory support or intratracheal surfactant application. Two reviewers extracted data and assessed risk of bias from included studies separately and blinded. Data were pooled by using a fixed-effects model. Subgroups (gestational age, type of nebulizer, surfactant type, and dosage) were evaluated. Primary outcome was intubation rate at 72 hours after birth. Nine studies recruiting 1095 infants met inclusion criteria. SN compared with standard care significantly reduced intubation rate at 72 hours after birth (226 of 565 infants [40.0%] vs 231 of 434 infants [53.2%]; risk ratio [RR]: 0.73, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.63-0.84; number needed to treat: 8; 95% CI: 5-14]). Prespecified subgroup analysis identified important heterogeneity: SN was most effective in infants ≥28 weeks' gestation (RR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.60-0.82), with a pneumatically driven nebulizer (RR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.40-0.68) and in infants receiving ≥200 mg/kg and animal-derived surfactant (RR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.52-0.75). No differences in neonatal morbidities or mortality were identified. Quality of evidence was low owing to risk of bias and imprecision. SN reduced the intubation rate in preterm infants with a higher efficacy for specific subgroups. There was no difference in relevant neonatal morbidities or mortality.

13 Impact of Catheter Choice on Procedural Success of Minimally Invasive Surfactant Therapy

Abstract Primary Subject area Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Background Surfactant delivery via a thin endotracheal catheter during spontaneous breathing, a technique called minimally invasive surfactant therapy (MIST), is an alternative to intubation and surfactant administration. Procedural details among different centres vary, with marked differences in the choice of catheter to instill surfactant. Studies report use of feeding catheters, multi-access catheters, vascular catheters and, recently, custom-designed catheters for this purpose. The impact of choice of catheter on procedural success and adverse effects has not been reported. Objectives The objective of the present study was to compare the procedural success and adverse effects of MIST, using a semi-rigid vascular catheter (16G Angiocath-Hobart Method) versus a flexible multi-access catheter (MAC). Design/Methods This was a retrospective review of prospectively collected data at a tertiary care neonatal intensive care unit in southwestern Ontario. All neonates who received surfactant via MIST between May 1, 2016 and September 30, 2020 were included in the study. Relevant baseline characteristics, data on procedural details (premedication, type of catheter) were collected. The procedural success, number of attempts, and adverse effects between neonates who received MIST via MAC and 16G Angiocath were compared using a Chi Square test or Fisher’s test, as appropriate. A P value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results A total of 139 neonates received surfactant via MIST method during the study period. 93 neonates received the surfactant via MAC, while 46 received it via Angiocath. The baseline demographic characteristics in the two groups were similar (Table 1). A higher proportion of neonates in the Angiocath group received atropine (100% vs. 76%, P =.002] and fentanyl (98% vs. 36%; p&amp;lt;0.001) than the MAC group. The procedural success was 91% in the Angiocath group and 89% in the MAC group (p &amp;gt;.99). Multiple attempts were needed in 24% of neonates in the Angiocath group, and 37% in the MAC group (p=0.158). More episodes of desaturations were noted in the Angiocath group (89%) than the MAC group (69%) (P=0.012). Other rates of common adverse effects were similar between the two groups (Table 2). Conclusion The overall procedural success of MIST was similar in both catheter groups. The proportion of neonates requiring multiple attempts was lower with Angiocath use, though this difference was not statistically significant. Desaturation episodes were seen more frequently in the Angiocath group, possibly related to higher use of procedural sedation in this group.

The Effect of Continuous PEEP Administration during Surfactant Instillation on Cerebral Hemodynamics in Intubated Preterm Infants: A NIRS Study.

There is an ongoing debate about the best and comfortable way to administer surfactant. We hypothesized that uninterrupted respiratory support and continuous PEEP implementation while instilling surfactant via endotracheal tube (ETT) with side port will result in higher regional cerebral tissue oxygenation (rcSO2) and the alterations in cerebral hemodynamics will be minimal. Preterm infants who required intubation in the delivery room and/or in the first 24 hours of life with gestational age <32 were enrolled. Patients were intubated either via conventional ETT or ETT with side port (Vygon) with appropriate sizes. Following neonatal intensive care unit admission a near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) probe was placed on the forehead and each infant was started to be monitored with NIRS. In conventional ETT group, patients separated from the ventilator while surfactant was instilled. In ETT with side port group, respiratory support was not interrupted during instillation. Heart rate, oxygen saturation, rcSO2, cerebral fractional tissue oxygen extraction (cFTOE), and blood pressures were recorded. A total of 46 infants were analyzed. Surfactant was instilled with conventional ETT in 23 and ETT with side port in 23 infants. Birth weights (1,037 ± 238 vs. 1,152 ± 277 g) and gestational ages (28 ± 2.3 vs. 29 ± 1.6 weeks) did not differ between groups. During instillation of surfactant, rcSO2 levels [61.5 (49-90) vs. 70 (48-85)] and cFTOE levels 0.28 (0.10-0.44) vs. 0.23 (0.03-0.44)] were similar (p = 0.58 and 0.82, respectively). Interruption of respiratory support during surfactant instillation did not significantly alter the cerebral tissue oxygenation. These results did not support our hypothesis and should be confirmed with further studies. · Monitoring intracerebral oxygenation changes during surfactant administration with NIRS is feasible.. · The surfactant administration method does not significantly alter the cerebral oxygenation.. · Surfactant administration itself rather than the method caused a transient drop in cerebral NIRS readings..

Early nasal continuous positive airway pressure failure prediction in preterm infants less than 32 weeks gestational age suffering from respiratory distress syndrome.

Early continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and surfactant replacement are effective treatments for neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). CPAP is the first line in preterm infants needing respiratory support, with surfactant replacement in case of CPAP failure (CPAP-F). To analyze incidence and factors associated with CPAP-F in preterm infants with RDS. Single-centerretrospective database analysis (2004-2017) of inborn infants, gestational age (GA) 24 + 0/7-31 + 6/7 weeks, not intubated on admission to the neonatal intensive care unit, managed with CPAP. CPAP-F was defined as intubation and surfactant administration in the first 72 h of life; CPAP success (CPAP-S) was CPAP alone without need for additional RDS treatments. Demographic, respiratory, and clinical data associated with CPAP-F were studied using logistic regression analysis. A total of 562 infants met the inclusion criteria: 252 (44.8%) were CPAP-F and 310 (55.2%) were CPAP-S. The CPAP-F, compared to CPAP-S group, had lower GA and birth weight, and were less likely to receive antenatal steroids or to be vaginal births. Logistic regression showed that the fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2 ) ≥ 0.23 between 180 and 240 min of life (FiO2 180-240 min) was the strongest factor associated with CPAP-F (odds ratio: 16.01 [95% confidence interval: 10.34-24.81]). FiO2 180-240 min was highly predictive of CPAP-F in preterm infants. With this model for surfactant administration/CPAP-F, 11.2% of infants would have unnecessarily received treatment, but importantly, 27.7% would have been treated much earlier, with a potential reduction in air leaks and duration of mechanical ventilation.

FiO2 Before Surfactant, but Not Time to Surfactant, Affects Outcomes in Infants With Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

Aim: To establish the impact of oxygen requirement before surfactant (SF) and time from birth to SF administration on treatment outcomes in neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).Methods: We conducted a post-hoc analysis of data from a prospective cohort study of 500 premature infants treated with less invasive surfactant administration (LISA). LISA failure was defined as the need for early (<72 h of life) mechanical ventilation (MV). Baseline clinical characteristic parameters, time to SF, and fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) prior to SF were all included in the multifactorial logistic regression model that explained LISA failure.Results: LISA failed in 114 of 500 infants (22.8%). The median time to SF was 2.1 h (IQR: 0.8–6.7), and the median FiO2 prior to SF was 0.40 (IQR: 0.35–0.50). Factors significantly associated with LISA failure were FiO2 prior to SF (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01–1.04) and gestational age (OR 0.82, 95 CI 0.75–0.89); both p <0.001. Time to SF was not an independent risk factor for therapy failure (p = 0.528) or the need for MV at any time during hospitalization (p = 0.933).Conclusions: The FiO2 before SF, but not time to SF, influences the need for MV in infants with RDS. While our findings support the relevance of FiO2 in SF prescription, better adherence to the recommended FiO2 threshold for SF (0.30) is required in daily practice.

Prediction Model for Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in Preterm Newborns.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a multifactorial model that allows the prediction of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm newborns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single-center retrospective study of infants born below 32 + 0 weeks gestational age. We created a receiver operating characteristic curve to assess the multifactorial BPD risk and calculate the BPD risk accuracy using the area under the curve (AUC). BPD risk was categorized using a multifactorial predictive model based on the weight of the evidence. RESULTS: Of the 278 analyzed preterm newborns, 127 (46%) developed BPD. The significant risk factors for BPD in the multivariate analysis were gestational age, number of red blood cell concentrate transfusions, number of surfactant administrations, and hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus. The combination of these factors determined the risk of developing BPD, with an AUC value of 0.932. A multifactorial predictive model based on these factors, weighted by their odds ratios, identified four categories of newborns with mean BPD risks of 9%, 59%, 82%, and 100%. CONCLUSION: A multifactorial model based on easily available clinical factors can predict BPD risk in preterm newborns and inform potential preventive measures.

The Intertemporal Role of Respiratory Support in Improving Neonatal Outcomes: A Narrative Review

Defining improvements in healthcare can be challenging due to the need to assess multiple outcomes and measures. In neonates, although progress in respiratory support has been a key factor in improving survival, the same degree of improvement has not been documented in certain outcomes, such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia. By exploring the evolution of neonatal respiratory care over the last 60 years, this review highlights not only the scientific advances that occurred with the application of invasive mechanical ventilation but also the weakness of the existing knowledge. The contributing role of non-invasive ventilation and less-invasive surfactant administration methods as well as of certain pharmacological therapies is also discussed. Moreover, we analyze the cost–benefit of neonatal care-respiratory support and present future challenges and perspectives.

Is Less Invasive Surfactant Administration a Beneficial Method for Late Preterm Infants?

Late preterm infants (LPIs) have increased steadily in all newborns delivery and they are the largest patient group requiring admission to the neonatal intensive care unit. Surfactant treatment is frequently used in LPIs in case of respiratory distress, but the procedure and the timing of surfactant administration are not well-known. We aimed to evaluate the effect of surfactant administration techniques on pulmonary outcomes in LPIs with respiratory distress. In this retrospective study, we compared the effects of the less invasive surfactant administration (LISA) technique and conventional treatment on respiratory and other morbidities in LPIs who have respiratory difficulties. We named these two groups as the LISA group and the conventional group (CG). Comparison of the mechanical ventilation (MV) rates between the groups was the primary outcome of our study. There were 25 LPIs in each group. The duration of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and oxygenation were similar in both groups. The rate of MV and the duration of MV (P=0.004 and P=0.02) were lower in the LISA group. Also, the need for more than 1 dose of surfactant was higher in the MV requiring group, although it was not statistically significant between the groups (P=0.21). Using the LISA technique for surfactant instillation reduces any MV requirement. LISA is a very useful and reliable technique in experienced hands in LPIs as in very preterm infants.

Surfactant Administration Through Laryngeal or Supraglottic Airways.

Noninvasive ventilation is frequently used in the treatment of infants with respiratory distress syndrome. This practice is often effective in higher gestational age neonates, but can be difficult in those with lower gestational ages as surfactant deficiency can be severe. While noninvasive ventilation avoids the negative effects of intubation and ventilator-induced lung injury, failure of this mode of support does occur with relative frequency and is primarily caused by the poorly compliant, surfactant-deficient lung. Because of the potential problems associated with laryngoscopy and intubation, neonatologists have developed various methods to deliver surfactant in minimally invasive ways with the aim of improving the success of noninvasive ventilation. Methods of minimally invasive surfactant administration include various thin catheter techniques, aerosolization/nebulization, and the use of a laryngeal mask airway/supraglottic airway device. The clinician should recognize that currently the only US Food and Drug Administration-approved device to deliver surfactant is an endotracheal tube and all methods reviewed here are considered off-label use. This review will focus primarily on surfactant administration through laryngeal or supraglottic airways, providing a review of the history of this technique, animal and human trials, and comparison with other minimally invasive techniques. In addition, this review provides a step-by-step instruction guide on how to perform this procedure, including a multimedia tutorial to facilitate learning.

Decreasing Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Failure in Preterm Infants.

Many preterm infants stabilized on continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) at birth require mechanical ventilation (MV) during the first 72 hours of life, which is defined as CPAP failure. Our objective was to decrease CPAP failure in infants ≤29 weeks' gestational age (GA). A quality improvement bundle named OPTISURF was implemented for infants ≤29 weeks' GA admitted on CPAP, consisting of stepwise escalation of CPAP and less invasive surfactant administration guided by fractional inspired oxygen concentration ≥0.3. The CPAP failure rate was tracked by using control charts. We compared practice and outcomes of a pre-OPTISURF cohort (January 2017 to September 2018) to a post-OPTISURF cohort (October 2018 to December 2019). Of the 216 infants ≤29 weeks' GA admitted to NICU on CPAP, 125 infants belonged to the pre-OPTISURF cohort (OSC) and 91 to the post-OSC. Compared with the pre-OSC, a higher proportion of infants in the post-OSC received CPAP 7 cm H2O within 4 hours of life (7% vs 32%; P < .01). The post-OSC also had lower rates of CPAP failure (54% vs 11%; P < .01), pneumothoraces (8% vs 1%; P < .03), need for MV (58% vs 31%; P < .01), and patent ductus arteriosus treatment (21% vs 9%; P = .02). Additionally, in a subgroup analysis, CPAP failure was lower in the post-OSC among infants 23 to 26 weeks (79% vs 27%; P < .01) and 27 to 29 weeks' GA (46% vs 3%; P < .01). Implementation of a quality improvement bundle including CPAP optimization and less invasive surfactant administration decreased CPAP failure and need for MV in preterm infants.

MISA (Minimally Invasive Surfactant Administration) Versus Insure (Intubation, Surfactant, Extubation) In Preterms Less Than 34 Weeks With RDS

Background: Newborn Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) or what is known as surfactant deficiency disorder is a syndrome that affects premature infants who are born prematurely and is caused by a developmental deficiency in the production of pulmonary surfactant or as it is called immature formation of the lungs, or as a result of a defect in the protein gene that forms pulmonary surfactant. Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) is the first technique for respiratory therapy while MISA and InSurE are both the most commonly used in RDS. Objective: To compare the use of the MISA method and the InSurE method in the treatment of premature infants less than 34 weeks of gestational age with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Patients and methods: The sample size was 70 infants with gestational age less than 34 weeks with RDS. 35 newborn were enrolled in each group. First group received surfactant via MIST technique and the other 35 newborn received it via InSurE technique. Infants in the InSurE group required intubation, according to previous collected data from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) center. Results: After the injection of surfactant, the 13 (37%) infants needed another dose in the MIST group, while only 3 (8.57%) infants in the InSurE group needed a second dose of the same substance. Accordingly, the response of the MIST group was shown to be a less improvement than the InSurE group in the child's breathing methods. Conclusion: The MIST method was the most successful with a rate of 96.5% in terms of time and the child's response to treatment, and the researcher recommended that the reasons for the effectiveness of MISA in treating RDS should be studied. However duration of invasive mechanical ventilation were higher in MIST group than InSurE group.

Physiologic Effects of Instilled and Aerosolized Surfactant Using a Breath-Synchronized Nebulizer on Surfactant-Deficient Rabbits.

Surfactant administration incorporates liquid bolus instillation via endotracheal tube catheter and use of a mechanical ventilator. Aerosolized surfactant has generated interest and conflicting data related to dose requirements and efficacy. We hypothesized that aerosolized surfactant with a novel breath-actuated vibrating mesh nebulizer would have similar efficacy and safety as instilled surfactant. Juvenile rabbits (1.50 ± 0.20 kg, n = 17) were sedated, anesthetized, intubated, and surfactant was depleted via lung lavage on mechanical ventilation. Subjects were randomized to receive standard dose liquid instillation via catheter (n = 5); low dose surfactant (n = 5) and standard dose surfactant (n = 5) via aerosol; and descriptive controls (no treatment, n = 2). Peridosing events, disease severity and gas exchange, were recorded every 30 min for 3 h following surfactant administration. Direct-Instillation group had higher incidence for peridosing events than aerosol. Standard dose liquid and aerosol groups had greater PaO2 from pre-treatment baseline following surfactant (p < 0.05) with greater ventilation efficiency with aerosol (p < 0.05). Our study showed similar improvement in oxygenation response with greater ventilation efficiency with aerosol than liquid bolus administration at the same dose with fewer peridosing events. Breath-synchronized aerosol via nebulizer has potential as a safe, effective, and economical alternative to bolus liquid surfactant instillation.

A systematic review of surfactant delivery via laryngeal mask airway, pharyngeal instillation, and aerosolization: Methods, limitations, and outcomes.

Less invasive surfactant administration methods without laryngoscopy and endotracheal catheterization include delivery via laryngeal mask airway, pharyngeal instillation, and aerosolization. These less invasive techniques are promising and have several advantages over INSURE(Intubation-Surfactant-Extubation) and thin catheter techniques. The objective of this review is to discuss the requisites, techniques, short-term outcomes, and adverse events associated with these methods.

Клінічний випадок тяжкої коронавірусної інфекції в дитини 6-місячного віку

Nowadays, the creation of treatment protocols for young children with COVID-19 is especially relevant, as some issues of pathogenesis and genetic determinism of severe lung damage are still unclear. COVID-19-induced respiratory distress syndrome is a predictable severe complication that requires early diagnosis and proper treatment. Given the pathogenetic mechanism of lung damage in COVID-19, surfactant replacement therapy may be useful in the treatment of this cohort of patients. Clinical case. A clinical case of severe coronavirus infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 in a 6-month-old child is presented. The course of the disease was accompanied by severe damage to the lung parenchyma with the development of acute respiratory distress. The examination of the patient confirmed the genetic determinism of severe COVID-19, polymorphic risk alleles of the genes GSTM1, GSTP1, SFTP-B. The child's treatment included not only long-term mechanical ventilation, but also surfactant replacement therapy. The child recovered and was discharged without signs of respiratory failure. Conclusions. This clinical case demonstrates the association of genetic polymorphism with severe virus-induced lung damage. Because severe respiratory failure in COVID-19 is likely to be due to the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome, administration of exogenous surfactant should be considered as a possible treatment option. The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki declaration. The informed consent of the patient was obtained for conducting the studies. No conflict of interest was declared by the authors. Key words: COVID-19, children, virus-induced respiratory distress syndrome, gene polymorphism, surfactant administration.

Impact of Catheter Choice on Procedural Success of Minimally Invasive Surfactant Therapy.

Surfactant delivery via a thin endotracheal catheter during spontaneous breathing; a technique called minimally invasive surfactant therapy (MIST) is an alternative to intubation and surfactant administration. Procedural details among different centers vary, with marked differences in the choice of catheter to instill surfactant. Studies report use of feeding catheters, multiaccess suction catheters, vascular catheters, and more recently custom-built catheters for this purpose. The impact of choice of catheter on procedural success and procedural adverse effects has not been reported. Our present study compares the procedural success and adverse effects of MIST using a semirigid vascular catheter (16G Angiocath-Hobart Method) versus a flexible multiaccess catheter (MAC). This was a retrospective review of prospectively collected data at a tertiary care neonatal intensive care unit in Southwestern Ontario. All neonates who received surfactant via MIST between May 1, 2016 and September 30, 2020 were included in the study. Relevant baseline characteristics and data on procedural details (premedication, type of catheter, etc.) were collected. The procedural success, number of attempts, and adverse effects between neonates who received MIST via MAC and 16G Angiocath was compared by using Chi-square test or Fisher's test as appropriate. A p-value of less that 0.05 was considered significant. A total of 139 neonates received surfactant via MIST method during the study period. Moreover, 93 neonates received the surfactant via MAC, while 46 received it via Angiocath. The baseline demographic characteristics in the two group were similar. A higher proportion of neonates in Angiocath group received Atropine (100 vs. 76%, p = 0.002) and Fentanyl (98 vs. 36%, p < 0.001) than the MAC group.The procedural success was 91% in the Angiocath group and 89% in the MAC group (p > 0.99). Multiple attempts were needed in 24% of neonates in the Angiocath group and 37% in the MAC group (p = 0.158). More episodes of desaturations were noted in the Angiocath group (89%) than the MAC group (69%; p = 0.012). Other rates of common adverse effects were similar between the two groups. On exploratory analysis fentanyl use held significant association with less success, more desaturation, apneic episodes, and need of positive pressure ventilation /intubation. The overall procedural success of MIST is similar in both catheter groups. The proportion of neonates requiring multiple attempts was lower with the Angiocath, though difference was not statistically significant. Desaturation episodes were seen more frequently in the Angiocath group, which was related to higher use of procedural sedation in this group. · MIST is emerging as a less invasive method of surfactant delivery that has proven clinical benefits.. · Considerable, procedural variation is reported, particularly regarding choice of catheter.. · Our present study compares the procedural success and adverse effects of MIST using a semirigid vascular catheter (16G Angiocath-Hobart method) versus a flexible MAC.. · High and comparable procedural success was seen in both groups..

Surfactant Treatment of Late Preterm Infants during Emergency Transport: A Retrospective, Observational Study

Background: In late preterm infants born in nontertiary hospitals, the occurrence of respiratory distress syndrome requires postnatal transport. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the timing of surfactant administration in late preterm infants needing postnatal transport. Methods: This is a retrospective study evaluating surfactant administration in late preterm infants during emergency transports by the Eastern Veneto Neonatal Emergency Transport Service between January 2005 and December 2019. The outcome measures included short-term clinical complications, stabilization time, oxygen concentration, duration of mechanical ventilation and noninvasive respiratory support, length of hospital stay, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intraventricular hemorrhage, and sepsis. Results: Surfactant was administered to 155/303 neonates (51.1%) at 3 different time points: at a referring hospital (50 neonates), when the transport team arrived (25 neonates), or at a referral hospital (80 neonates). Stabilization time was longer in neonates receiving surfactant by the transport team (adjusted mean difference 17 min, 95% confidence interval, 4–29 min; p = 0.01). Decrease in oxygen concentrations during the transport was larger in neonates receiving surfactant at a referring hospital (adjusted mean difference −11%, 95% confidence interval, −15 to −3%; p = 0.01). The other outcome measures were not statistically different according to the timing of surfactant administration. Conclusions: In late preterm infants with respiratory distress needing postnatal transfer, stabilization time was longer when the first surfactant was administered by the transport team, but such delay did not affect safety and clinical outcomes.

Less-Invasive Surfactant Administration for Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Consensus Guideline

Introduction: Less-invasive surfactant administration (LISA) is a method of surfactant delivery to preterm infants for treating respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), which can reduce the composite risk of death or bronchopulmonary dysplasia and the time on mechanical ventilation. Methods: A systematic literature search of studies published up to April 2021 on minimally invasive catheter surfactant delivery in preterm infants with RDS was conducted. Based on these studies, with parental feedback sought via an online questionnaire, 9 UK-based specialists in neonatal respiratory disease developed their consensus for implementing LISA. Recommendations were developed following a modified, iterative Delphi process using a questionnaire employing a 9-point Likert scale and an a priori level of agreement/disagreement. Results: Successful implementation of LISA can be achieved by training the multidisciplinary team and following locally agreed guidance. From the time of the decision to administer surfactant, LISA should take <30 min. The comfort of the baby and requirements to maintain non-invasive respiratory support are important. While many infants can be managed without requiring additional sedation/analgesia, fentanyl along with atropine may be considered. Parents should be provided with sufficient information about medication side effects and involved in treatment discussions. Conclusion: LISA has the potential to improve outcomes for preterm infants with RDS and can be introduced as a safe and effective part of UK-based neonatal care with appropriate training.

Early INSURE Therapy Reduces CPAP Failure in Late Preterm Newborns with Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Background: INSURE (Intubation, Surfactant administration, and Extubation) therapy is controversial in managing respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in late preterm newborns. This study aims to determine whether the use of the INSURE in late preterm infants with RDS is associated with improved outcomes compared to similar infants managed with CPAP alone. Methods: A retrospective cohort study compared two different neonatal care units with two different treatments of RDS in late preterm infants in Bucaramanga, Colombia. One cohort used selective bubble CPAP and rescue surfactant, the second cohort used selective bubble CPAP and INSURE within the first hour of life. We included all the newborns with gestational age between 33 - 366/7 weeks, born between 2012 to 2017, that developed early RDS and were treated with CPAP. Results: We recruited 208 patients (57 CPAP and rescue surfactant and 151 CPAP + INSURE). Early INSURE was reported in 117 patients (56.3 %). INSURE therapy was associated with a reduced risk of CPAP failure (RR = 0.50; 95 % CI 0.26 - 0.98); this effect was evident only when surfactant was administered within the first two hours of life (RR = 0.29; 95 % CI 0.12 - 0.69). Early INSURE was associated with a decreased risk of pneumothorax (RR = 0.07; 95 % CI 0.01 - 0.77) and pulmonary hypertension (RR = 0.34; 95 % CI 0.14 - 0.78). Conclusions: Early INSURE therapy was associated with a reduced incidence of CPAP failure, pneumothorax, and pulmonary hypertension in late preterm infants with moderate to severe RDS. Large, well-powered randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these observations, but its use is supported by studies with similar results in more premature infants.