Patent Ductus Arteriosus Diameter Research Articles

Value of bedside echocardiography in predicting persistent patency of the ductus arteriosus during the early postnatal period in very low birth weight infants.

To study the value of bedside echocardiography in predicting persistent patency of the ductus arteriosus during the early postnatal period in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. A retrospective analysis was performed for 51 VLBW infants who were admitted from March 2020 to June 2021, with an age of ≤3 days and a length of hospital stay of ≥14 days. According to the diameter of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) on days 14 and 28 after birth, the infants were divided into three groups: large PDA group (PDA diameter ≥2 mm), small PDA group (PDA diameter <2 mm), and PDA closure group (PDA diameter =0 mm). The echocardiographic parameters measured at 72 hours after birth were compared among the three groups. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the value of the echocardiographic parameters in predicting persistent patency of the ductus arteriosus (PDA≥2 mm) at the ages of 14 and 28 days. On day 14 after birth, there were 17 infants in the large PDA group, 11 in the small PDA group, and 23 in the PDA closure group. On day 28 after birth, there were 14 infants in the large PDA group, 9 in the small PDA group, and 26 in the PDA closure group. There were significant differences in gestational age, birth weight, rate of pulmonary surfactant use, and incidence rate of hypotension among the three groups (P<0.05). PDA diameter, end-diastolic velocity of the left pulmonary artery, left ventricular output, and left ventricular output/superior vena cava flow ratio measured at 72 hours after birth were associated with persistent patency of the ductus arteriosus at the ages of 14 and 28 days (P<0.05), and the ratio of the left atrium to aorta diameter was associated with persistent patency of the ductus arteriosus at the age of 28 days (P<0.05). The ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve that the PDA diameter measured at 72 hours after birth predicting the persistent patency of the ductus arteriosus at the ages of 14 and 28 days was the largest (0.841 and 0.927 respectively), followed by end-diastolic velocity of the left pulmonary artery, with the area under the curve of 0.793 and 0.833 respectively. The indicators obtained by beside echocardiography at 72 hours after birth, especially PDA diameter and end-diastolic velocity of the left pulmonary artery, can predict persistent patency of the ductus arteriosus at the ages of 14 and 28 days in VLBW infants, which provides a basis for the implementation of early targeted treatment strategy for PDA.

Immediate and Long-Term Results of Transcatheter Closure of Patent Ductus Arteriosus—Comparison of Two Decades before and after Change in Antibiotic Infective Endocarditis Prophylaxis Guidelines

Objectives: To determine immediate and long-term follow-up of transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in children. Background: National antibiotic prophylaxis (AP) guideline for infective endocarditis changed after 2009, the effect on practice of PDA closure is unknown. Methods: Observational single center study analyzing follow-up of PDA closure comparing two time periods before (2002–2009) and after (2010–2019) changes in AP guideline. Results: 332 patients (68.1% female), median (interquartile range) age 3.0 years (1.5–5.7) and body weight 14.0 kg (10.0–19.3), were enrolled. PDA morphology was conical type A (50.3%), window type B (1.2%), tubular type C (40.1%), complex type D (2.1%), elongated type E (0.9%) and other (5.4%). Minimal PDA diameter and length were 1.9 mm (1.3–2.5) and 8.0 mm (6.2–10.2). PDA was closed using coils (56.3%), Amplatzer Duct Occluders (41.9%) and others (1.8%). Complete closure rate was 61.1% at catheter intervention, 72.3% on day 1, 87.7% after 6 months and 98.4% at last follow-up on echocardiography. Moderate complication rate (severity level 3) was 4.2% and major complication rate (severity level 4) 0.3%, with no catastrophic complications (severity level 5). Annual PDA closure rate declined in the second time period (22.6/year vs. 15.5/ year, p = 0.018), PDA size increased (1.6 mm vs. 2.0 mm, p = 0.002) and proportion of coils decreased (72.4% vs. 37.1%, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Interventional closure of PDA is associated with excellent closure rates during follow-up (>98%) and only a small number of complications leading to reintervention or surgery. Change in AP guidelines changed indication for and practice of PDA closure.

Accuracy of Routine 2D Echocardiography to Estimate Patent Ductus Arteriosus Type and Dimension and Predict Device Selection for Successful PDA Occlusion.

BackgroundAssessment of the shape and dimensions of PDA is usually done angiographically and in the majority of cases need arterial access. Our aim was to evaluate the value of routine 2 D echocardiography (ECHO) in predicting type, dimensions of PDA and to anticipate device size to be used during the intervention.Material and methodsThe charts of all patients who underwent transcatheter closure of PDA between January 2015 and December 2020 were reviewed. Their pre-procedure ECHO and catheterization details at the time of device closure were analyzed.ResultsTotal of 139 patients were reviewed and 8 were excluded because of lack of adequate echocardiographic or angiographic images. The mean age and weight of the study population were 2.6 ± 2.5 years (range 0.2–14 years) and 11.2 ± 7.8 kg (range: 1.5–57 kg), respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in PDA narrowest diameter (p = 0.99) and predicted device type (p = 0.54) between Echo and angiography. Echo slightly overestimated PDA length (p = 0.01) and aortic ampulla dimension (p = 0.047), while morphology of PDA was correctly identified in the majority of cases (82%).ConclusionsPre-procedure echocardiography correlates well with angiographically obtained measurements and hence can be used to estimate PDA diameter, shape and guide device decide selection. Routine echocardiography can be used successfully to plan the intervention and in some cases to guide transcatheter closure.

Post-interventional Evaluation and Follow-Up in Children With Patent Ductus Arteriosus Complicated With Moderate to Severe Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A Retrospective Study.

Background: Transcatheter closure is an important treatment for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) complicated with moderate and severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). This report presents our experience with transcatheter closure of PDA complicated with moderate and severe PAH.Methods: The 49 cases of PDA complicated with moderate and severe PAH were collected in the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital from January 2014 to December 2019 with transcatheter closure of PDA and follow-up. All patients were invited for transthoracic echocardiography, electrocardiogram, and thoracic radiography check-up.Results: Device implantation was successful in 48 of 49 patients (98.0%). Among them, 30 cases were in the PAH after defect correction (CD) group, and 19 examples were in the Non-PAH after defect correction (NCD) group. Pulmonary systolic pressure, left atrial diameter, and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter immediately after interventional therapy and 6 months later were lower than the pre-operative levels (p < 0.05). The incidence of the immediate residual shunt (RS) in this study was 34.9%, most of which were minimal amount shunt. RS disappeared in all patients within 1 year of therapy. Four patients had thrombocytopenia and one patient had left pulmonary artery stenosis. No other serious adverse event occurred during the follow-up period. The pressure gradient tricuspid valve regurgitation (PGTI) and the right heart catheterization (RHC) consistency points were 93.75% (15/16) and were within the 95% consistency limit by the Bland-Altman method. The Logistic regression analysis concluded that the pre-operative Pp/Ps and the narrowest diameter of PDA are risk factors for post-operative PAH (p < 0.05). The cut-off point of the pre-operative Pp/Ps and the narrowest diameter of PDA were calculated to be 0.595 and 4.75 mm, respectively.Conclusion: Interventional occlusion in children with PDA complicated with moderate and severe PAH is safe, effective, and has few complications. Targeted drug therapy has a good clinical effect. The narrowest diameter of PDA and the pre-operative Pp/Ps may be one of the risk factors of residual PAH after interventional therapy.

Assessing patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants from standard neonatal intensive care monitoring

Monitoring patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in premature infants is currently performed intermittently using echocardiography which requires considerable expertise. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate whether PDA status could be assessed from standard neonatal intensive care monitoring. Electrocardiography (ECG) and blood pressure (BP) waveforms were acquired from extremely preterm infants using standard neonatal monitors. We developed software using MATLAB to analyse ECG and BP waveforms and their interrelationships in terms of pulse transit time (PTT) and pulse wave velocity (PWV). The times from peak systolic BP to diastolic trough (BPFt) and from the diastolic trough to peak systolic BP (BPRt) were also calculated. PTT, BPFt and BPRt were normalised for heart rate (HR) termed NPTT, NBPFt and NBPRt, respectively. ECG, invasive aortic BP monitoring and echocardiography were performed in 14 preterm infants < 29 weeks’ gestation in the first 3 days after birth. The median (range) birth weight of the infants was 0.90 (0.48–1.31) kg, gestation 26.6 (24.0–28.7) weeks, PDA diameter 1.6 (0.8–3.6) mm and mean BP 32 (16–40) mmHg. We found a significant positive correlation between PDA diameter and NPTT (r = 0.69, P = 0.007) as well as NBPFt (r = 0.65, P = 0.012) and NBPRt (r = 0.71, P = 0.005). No relationship was found between PDA diameter and pulse pressure.Conclusions: Interrelationships between ECG and BP traces as well as BP waveform time analysis are straightforward to measure and associated with PDA diameter. The results of this pilot study suggest that this approach may help provide biomarkers for continuous monitoring PDA diameter and function.What is Known:• Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in premature infants is associated with increased risk of developing chronic lung disease, necrotising enterocolitis and cerebral injury.• Currently PDA is assessed intermittently using echocardiography which requires considerable expertise and sometimes is not well tolerated by critically ill preterm infants.What is New:• Blood pressure (BP) and ECG waveform interrelation and BP trace time analysis, taking account of heart rate, relate to PDA diameter.• ECG and BP waveform phase difference as well as BP waveform time analysis may be useful in the continuous assessment of PDA function.

Distensibility of the ductus arteriosus in neonates and young infants undergoing transcatheter closure.

Device migration is one of serious complications in neonates and infants undergoing transcatheter closure of the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). We hypothesize that neonates and young infants possess the distensibility of the ductus, which may be related to device migration. We retrospectively reviewed angiographic findings in 41 neonates and infants who underwent transcatheter closure of PDA. We measured diameters of the ductus at the pulmonary (PA) side, the center, and the aortic (AO) side before PDA closure, and the device center diameter after device closure. The distensibility index was defined as the ratio of the device center diameter after device deployment to the diameter at the center of the ductus before PDA closure. Age and weight at the procedure were 168 (117-260) days and 5.3 (4.3-6.9) kg, respectively. Thirty-seven subjects accomplished the successful device closure, and four subjects were declined because of the device instability or migration. Implanted devices included Amplatzer Duct Occluders in 33 subjects and Amplatzer Vascular Plug-2 in 8 subjects. The PDA diameters at PA side, at the center, AO side, and the device center diameter were 3.2 (2.2-4.3) mm, 4.7 (3.6-5.7) mm, 7.7 (6.3-9.4) mm, and 5.8 (4.2-6.9) mm, respectively. The PDA diameter before closure was not correlated age and weight. The distensibility index was 1.28 (1.06-1.64), which was significantly correlated to age (r = - 0.49, P = 0.001) and weight (r = - 0.53, P < 0.001). Infants with the younger age and the lower weight have the more distensible PDA, which may be a risk for device migration.

Efficiency and Safety of Patent Ductus Arteriosus Surgical Ligation in Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants Without Chest Tube Placement.

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality in preterm infants. Surgical ligation (SL) is generally performed in symptomatic infants when medical management is contraindicated or has failed. We retrospectively reviewed our institution's experience in surgical management of PDA for extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants without chest tube placement assessing its efficiency and safety. We evaluated 17 consecutive ELBW infants undergoing SL for symptomatic PDA (January 2012-January 2018) with subsequent follow-up for 6 months postdischarge. Patients consisted of 9 (53%) females and 8 (47%) males. Mean gestational age (GA) at birth was 27.9 ± 2.1 weeks. Median values for surgical age (SA) from birth to operation was 10 days (interquartile range [IQR]: 8-12); PDA diameter 3.4 mm (IQR: 3.2-3.5); surgical weight (SW) 750 g (IQR: 680-850); and days of mechanical ventilation (DMV) as estimated by Kaplan-Meier curve 22 days (95% confidence interval: 14.2-29.8). We observed a statistically significant negative association between DMV and GA at birth (rho = - 0.587, p = 0.017), SA (rho = - 0.629, p = 0.009) and SW (rho = - 0.737, p = 0.001). One patient experienced left laryngeal nerve palsy confirmed by laryngoscopy. Otherwise, there were no adverse events to include surgical-related mortality, recurrence of PDA, or need for chest tube placement during follow-up. SL of PDA in ELBW infants without chest tube placement is both efficient and safe. Universal consensus recommendations for the management of PDA in ELBW neonates are needed. Further study is required regarding the use of the less invasive option of percutaneous PDA closure in ELBW infants.

Echocardiographic Parameters of Severity in Isolated Neonatal Patent Ductus Arteriosus

Background: A hemodynamically-significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA) compromises the early neonatal transition. There is no general agreement on echocardiographic indicators of hsPDA that can predict clinical decompensation. Aim of the Work: We aimed to assess echocardiographic parameters that are associated with the isolated PDA effects on hemodynamics, which could help in subsequent management decision making. Materials and Methods: We conducted a prospective observational analytical study on 50 neonates with isolated PDA and 20 controls. They underwent clinical and echocardiographic assessment at 48 hours of age, after another 48-72 hours and prior to discharge. Results: No correlation was found between PDA diameter and weight (p=0.72), length (p=0.11), Body surface area (BSA) (p=0.33), gestational age (p=0.13). A strong association of PDA-related hemodynamic instability was found with pulmonary hypertension (p= Conclusion: Pulmonary hypertension, larger LA Z-score and LPA Z-scores are important early (at 48 hours) associations of a hsPDA and hemodynamic instability.

Repeatability of PDA diameter measurements on echocardiography.

Diameter of the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) on transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is used as a marker of haemodynamic significance. We aimed to assess the intra- and inter-observer variability in PDA diameter in babies born at ≤ 30weeks' gestation. TTEs for 56 infants were performed by a single neonatologist. Cineloops were stored without measurement annotations. PDAs were measured on 2-dimensional (2D) and Colour Doppler. A second, blinded neonatologist repeated measurements on the same cineloops. The scanning neonatologist repeated measurements at a later date, blinded to original measurements. Inter-observer results showed repeatability coefficients of 1.57 (2D) and 2.18 (Colour), and repeatability index of 73% (2D) and 91% (Colour). Intra-observer results showed repeatability coefficients of 0.99 (2D) and 1.32 (Colour), and repeatability index of 43% (2D) and 49% (Colour).Conclusion: There is significant inter- and intra-observer variability in measurements of PDA diameter, even on the same cineloops. We advise caution when using diameter alone as a marker of haemodynamic significance, and recommend using multiple parameters to determine haemodynamic significance of PDA. What is Known: • PDA is associated with numerous comorbidities such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia, necrotising enterocolitis, intraventricular haemorrhage and mortality. • PDA diameter is commonly measured on transthoracic echocardiography and used as a marker of haemodynamic significance. • A previous, smaller study has shown there may be poor repeatability of PDA diameter measurements in serial echocardiograms. What is New: • There is significant inter-observer variability in 2D and Colour Doppler measurements of PDA internal diameter on TTE in preterm infants. • There is moderate intra-observer correlation of repeated measurements on the same imaging in both 2D and Colour Doppler imaging.

Patent ductus arteriosus, systemic NT-proBNP concentrations and development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in very preterm infants: retrospective data analysis from a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundPatent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a common complication in very preterm infants. It is known that there is an association between PDA and development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) or death before the postmenstrual age (PMA) of 36 weeks, but this association remains one of the most controversial aspects of the problem. The study aimed to evaluate the relationship between PDA, serum NT-proBNP levels at 2–3 and 8–9 days of life, and BPD/death in very preterm infants.MethodsData of 52 preterm infants with a gestational age < 32 weeks, chronological age < 72 h, and PDA diameter > 1.5 mm, enrolled in a randomized controlled trial, were used for the retrospective analysis. All patients underwent daily echocardiographic and two serum NT-proBNP measurements within the first 10 days after birth. Two groups of infants were formed retrospectively at PMA of 36 weeks depending on the outcome, BPD (n = 18)/death (n = 7) or survival without BPD (n = 27). Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the predictive performance of serum NT-proBNP levels for BPD/death occurrence.ResultsThe percentage of infants who received pharmacological treatment for PDA did not differ between the groups. Based on the area under the ROC curve, serum NT-proBNP levels on the 2–3 day of life (AUC = 0.71; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.56–0.9; p = 0.014)) and on the 8–9 day of life (AUC = 0.76; 95% CI: 0.6–0.9; p = 0.002) could reliably predict BPD/death in very preterm infants who had PDA diameter > 1.5 mm in the first 72 h of life. Hemodynamically significant PDA (hsPDA) was significantly more often detected in newborns with BPD/death, however, treatment of infants with hsPDA did not reduce the incidence of BPD/death.ConclusionsIn very preterm infants with PDA > 1.5 mm at the age of 24–48 h, serum NT-proBNP concentration could reliably predict the development of BPD or death, regardless of the persistence of PDA, with the highest diagnostic value at 8–9 days.Trial registrationThis study is registered in ClinicalTrials.gov - NCT03860428 on March 4, 2019.

Echocardiographic versus Angiographic Measurement of the Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants and the Utility of Echo Guidance for Transcatheter Closure

Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is increasingly utilized for guiding transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants. The objectives of this study were to compare PDA size measurements by TTE with angiographic measurements and to describe TTE techniques used in guiding transcatheter PDA closure (TCPC) in ELBW infants. One hundred twenty-five consecutive ELBW infants (gestational age<27weeks, birth weight<1kg) who underwent TCPC before 8weeks of age under TTE guidance were included. Patent ductus arteriosus sizes were measured from the procedural TTE and angiograms retrospectively by blinded observers. The TTE PDA diameters at the aortic (ED1) and pulmonary end (ED2) were compared with the corresponding angiographic diameters (CD1 and CD2). The TTE PDA lengths, obtained by two techniques (EL1, a straight line between ED1 and ED2; and EL2, a curvilinear line along the PDA), were compared with the PDA length by angiography (CL). Transthoracic echocardiography was used to guide accurate device positioning within the PDA. The procedure weight was 600-1,460g. The TTE and angiographic PDA diameters were comparable (mean ED1 vs CD1=4.5±0.68 vs 4.4±0.85mm, P=.26; and mean ED2 vs CD2=3.1±0.72 vs 3.2±0.94mm, P=.14). The angiographic length was underestimated by EL1 by 2.6±1.6mm(P<.0001), while EL2 estimated it better (mean EL2 vs CL=11.0±1.83 vs 10.8±2.15mm; P=.40). Transcatheter PDA closure was successful in 100% of the cases using TTE guidance. There were no intraprocedural complications. Transthoracic echocardiography guidance during TCPC in ELBW infants eliminates the need for aortograms via femoral arterial access, preventing the complications associated with it. Transthoracic echocardiography PDA measurements are comparable to angiographic measurements, thereby assisting in appropriate device size selection.

How can stretched ductus diameter be predicted from angiographic diameter?

An appropriate size of device for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) could be chosen by a stretched PDA size. We propose prediction of stretched size from intact PDA size. A total of 361 patients was enrolled. Intact size was measured on angiography before closure, and stretched size was the narrowest diameter immediately after device implantation. The median patient age was 2.8 years. Intact diameter and stretched diameter were 3.6±1.4 mm and 5.1±1.3 mm. The difference and difference ratio were 1.5±0.8 mm and 51.3±38.1% and had negative linear correlations with age (P<0.001). Patients were divided into four groups: <2 years old (159), 2-15 years old (68), 15-40 years old (72), and ≥40 years old (62). Among groups, difference and difference ratio were significantly different. Stretched diameter was inferred by the following formulas: stretched diameter = 0.660 × intact diameter + 2.791 (<2 years old); = 0.971×intact diameter + 0.058 × age + 1.131 (2-15 years old); = 0.790 × intact diameter + 2.263 (15-40 years old); and = 0.837 × intact diameter + 1.353 × BSA - 0.096 (≥40 years old). Stretched PDA diameter can be predicted from intact diameter and might be helpful for safe PDA closure especially in small infants.

Size of Patent Ductus Arteriosus and Echocardiographic Markers of Shunt Volume in Preterm Infants Based on Postnatal Age.

Objective: This study was conducted in order to compare the strength of correlation between echocardiographic markers of shunt volume and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) diameter based on postnatal age.Methods: This retrospective study focused on preterm infants (aged <32 weeks of gestation) admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Korea University Ansan Hospital, between April 2014 and December 2017, who studied serial targeted neonatal echocardiography (TNE) for PDA during hospitalization. The association between echocardiographic characteristics and duct size was divided into the following days: within 3 days (very early, VE), 4–7 days after birth (early, E), and after 8 days of birth (late, L).Results: We found 113 assessments conducted on 57 infants in the VE period, 92 assessments on 40 infants in the E period, and 342 assessments on 37 infants in the L period. Median gestational age and birth weight were 28+2 weeks of gestation and 1,115 g, respectively. In the univariate regression analysis, we found a statistically significant correlation between PDA diameter and all TNE markers in the E and L days, but not in the VE period. Only ductal velocity [coefficient of determination (R2) = 0.224], antegrade left pulmonary artery diastolic flow velocity (R2 = 0.165), left ventricular output (LVO)/superior vena cava (SVC) flow ratio (R2 = 0.048), and E/A wave ratio (R2 = 0.092) showed weak correlations with PDA diameter in the VE period. The slopes of the regressions showed significant changes based on postnatal age in the maximum ductal velocity, left atrium/aorta ratio, LVO/SVC flow ratio, and LVO.Conclusions: It is difficult to predict the echocardiographic markers of shunt volume based on the PDA diameter in preterm infants younger than 4 days. A better understanding of the changes in the hemodynamic consequences of PDA based on postnatal age is needed when considering treatment.

Distal anastomosis support for bypass grafting with coronary endarterectomy for the severe diseased posterior descending artery.

The posterior descending artery is the most common vessel chosen for an endarterectomy, while endarterectomy to the posterior descending artery is associated with decreased graft patency. The purpose of this study was to describe a distal anastomosis support (DAS) technique and retrospectively investigate the effect of DAS on the mid-term graft patency. Between January 2016 and December 2018, 200 patients with a PDA severe lesion who underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) with CE (OPCAB + CE group, n = 95) and OPCAB + CE with DAS for anastomosis of PDA grafted by saphenous vein (SVG) (OPCAB + CE + DAS group, n = 105) were evaluated retrospectively. All patients came back to follow-up visit 6th, 12th, 24th, and 36th postoperative month. The primary endpoint is the graft failure (FitzGibbon B or O) of SVG-PDA on the follow-up CTA or CAG. There was no significant difference in perioperative outcomes. We found significantly improved cumulative graft patency in OPCAB + CE + DAS group at 36 months after operation (84.6% vs 76.5%, p = 0.02). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, plaque length larger than 2 cm (hazard ratio [HR], 13.108, 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.842-60.457, p = 0.001), and peak TNI ⩾70× ULN within 48 hours of surgery (HR, 3.778, 95% CI, 1.453-9.823, p = 0.006) were independent predictors of graft failure, whereas PDA diameter greater than 1.5 mm (HR, 0.231, 95% CI, 0.081-0.654, p = 0.006), and DAS use (HR, 0.336, 95% CI, 0.139-0.812, p = 0.015) were significant protective factors. Concomitant DAS conferred superior mid-term patency of SVG-PDA. Adding the DAS procedure to OPCAB + CE may be a promising surgical option for patients with a PDA severe lesion, especially when PDA diameter less than 1.5 mm and plaque length greater than 2 cm.

Bedside cardiopulmonary ultrasonography evaluates lung water content in very low-weight preterm neonates with patent ductus arteriosus.

BACKGROUNDPatent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a common congenital heart abnormality in preterm neonates with a high incidence in neonates with very low birth weights. When PDA persists, interstitial lung water content increases, which could lead to abnormal circulation hemodynamics and pulmonary edema. It is important to perform early and reliable assessment of lung water content in very low-weight preterm neonates with persistent PDA.AIMTo evaluate the role of bedside cardiopulmonary ultrasonography in the lung water content assessment in very low-weight preterm neonates with persistent PDA. METHODSFrom January 2018 to March 2020, 69 very low-weight preterm neonates with echocardiography-confirmed PDA were selected as the PDA group. At the same time, 89 very low-weight preterm neonates without PDA were randomly selected as the control group. All neonates underwent echocardiography and 6-segment lung ultrasonography on the fourth day after birth. The clinical characteristics and main ultrasonography results were compared between the two groups. Pearson’s analysis was used to analyze the correlation between lung ultrasonography score (LUS) and other related clinical and ultrasonography results in all neonates. In the PDA group, PDA diameters were recorded, and the correlation with LUS and left atrium to aortic (LA/AO) dimension ratio were also analyzed. LA/AO ratio is one of the ultrasonic diagnostic criteria for hemodynamically significant PDA. When the ratio is ≥ 1.5, it suggests the possibility of hemodynamic changes in persistent PDA. A receiver operating characteristic curve was established using the sensitivity of LUS to predict the hemodynamic changes in neonates with PDA as the ordinate and 1-specificity as the abscissa.RESULTSA total of 158 neonates were enrolled in this study, including 69 in the PDA group and 89 in the control group. There were no statistical differences in sex, gestational age, birth weight, ventilator dependence, hospitalization length and left ventricular ejection fraction between the two groups (P > 0.05). The LUS and LA/AO ratio in the PDA group were higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05), but there was no difference of LUS in neonates with or without use of the ventilator (t = 0.58, P = 0.16). In all cases, LUS was negatively correlated with gestational age (r = -0.28, P < 0.01) and birth weight (r = -0.36, P < 0.01), while positively correlated with the LA/AO ratio (r = 0.27, P < 0.01). In the PDA group, PDA diameter was positively correlated with the LA/AO ratio (r = 0.39, P < 0.01) and LUS (r = 0.31, P < 0.01). Receiver operating characteristic results showed that LUS had the moderate accuracy for predicting hemodynamic changes in PDA (area under the curve = 0.741; sensitivity = 93.75%; specificity = 50.94%).CONCLUSIONBedside cardiopulmonary ultrasonography can evaluate lung content in neonates with PDA and predict the possibility of hemodynamic changes in persistent PDA.

Прогностична цінність концентрації NT-proBNP у сироватці крові значно недоношених немовлят щодо гемодинамічної значущості відкритої артеріальної протоки

Hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a common complication in very preterm infants born at less than 32 weeks of gestation. At the same time, currently, there are no uniform criteria to identify the actual hemodynamic significance of PDA and generally accepted management approaches to such infants. Purpose — to assess the predictive value of serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels for hemodynamically significant PDA in very preterm infants. Materials and methods. Fifty-two preterm infants with gestational age &lt;32 weeks, chronological age &lt;72 h, and PDA diameter &gt;1.5 mm were involved in a randomized study. Twenty-seven (52%) of them were treated with ibuprofen or paracetamol starting within the first 3 days of life. Expectant management was applied to 25 (48%) infants. All patients underwent daily echocardiographic and two serum NT-proBNP measurements within the first 10 days after birth. According to the results of echocardiographic and clinical monitoring, 2 groups of patients were formed retrospectively. In 22 (42%) of them hemodynamically significant PDA (hsPDA) was diagnosed, and 30 (58%) had hemodynamically insignificant ductus arteriosus. Results. The percentage of infants who received pharmacological PDA treatment was not significantly different between the groups (p&gt;0.05). Serum NT-proBNP concentrations at the median age of 2 and 8 days were significantly higher in infants with hsPDA (p&lt;0.01). By the eighth day of life, the NT-proBNP level in both groups significantly decreased but remained considerably higher in newborns with hsPDA. Serum NT-proBNP concentrations on the second-third day of life could reliably predict hsPDA (AUC=0.93; 95% confidence interval: 0.86–1.0; p&lt;0.05). Conclusions. Serum NT-proBNP concentrations on the second day of life &gt;12000 pg/ml could reliably predict hsPDA. The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. The study protocol was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of these Institutes. The informed consent of the patient was obtained for conducting the studies. No conflict of interest was declared by the authors. Key words: hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus, PDA, NT-proBNP, prognostic value, very preterm infants.

DECISION MAKING FOR DEVICE CLOSURE IN ADULTS WITH ‘HYPERTENSIVE PDA’–NON-INVASIVE CRITERIA: IMMEDIATE RESULTS

Objective: To find the mean pulmonary artery pressures (PAP) in adults (&gt;12 years) Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) with ‘reversible pulmonary hypertension’ after the device closure. Residual PDA and immediate complications (embolization, pulse loss, obstruction in the aorta or pulmonary artery) are to be reported.&#x0D; Study Design: Retrospective study.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: Tertiary Care Referral Hospital, from Aug 2007 to Jun 2020.&#x0D; Methodology: This retrospective study is descriptive. Data collected by convenience sampling from 3 tertiary care referral hospital. 981 patients were undergone PDA device closure during the period from Aug 2007 to June 2020. After informed consent, an initial assessment was done by history, clinical examination, x-ray chest PA view, electrocardiography (ECG), and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). Reversible pulmonary hypertension was labeled based on non-invasive criteria including room air saturation &gt;93% and cardiomegaly on x-ray chest. Patients who had &lt;93% and normal heart size on x-ray chest were excluded. The lower limit for age was 12 years.&#x0D; Results: Nine Hundred Eighty One patients had undergone PDA device closure. 32 (n=32/981 3.3%) had fulfilled our inclusion criteria. The mean age was 22 ± 9 (13–45) years. Mean weight was 41 ± 11 (25-66) kg. Successful device closure was done in 30 patients (93.7%). Mean diameter of PDA was 7 ± 0.1 (4.5-13 mm. Mean PAP decreased from 59 ± 13 mmHg to 38 ± 19 mmHg (p&lt;0.05). Commonest device used was Shasma duct occluder (n=16/32 50%) followed by Occlutech Duct Occluder (n=7/32 21.9%), while 2 had muscular VSD device (n=5/32 15.6%). In 2 patients, there was an underestimation of the size of PDA so the device was retrieved and replaced with another larger one successfully. Two patients had the device fully dropped into the main pulmonary artery before it was released. Larger size device was not available at that time so the patients were referred for surgery. None of our patients had device embolization or residual shunt on echo performed next day to the procedure. Neither any patient had residual pulmonary hypertension on echocardiography. There was no significant obstruction in the aorta in any patients. Two patients had mild left pulmonary artery obstruction. There was no significant obstruction in the aorta in any of our patients. There was pulse loss in 3 patients which were treated successfully with heparin infusion with no residual damage.&#x0D; Conclusion: Device closure is a feasible option in adults with hypertensive PDA while the decision of reversibility is based on non-invasive criteria.

Worse outcomes of early targeted ibuprofen treatment compared to expectant management of patent ductus arteriosus in extremely premature infants

Aims: The aim of the study is to evaluate two different patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) management approaches and their impact on neonatal mortality and/or bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and 2-year outcomes. Subjects and Methods: For two consecutive periods, data on early mortality and morbidity were obtained retrospectively, while long-term morbidity data in children born before 28 weeks of gestation were collected prospectively. In the early targeted treatment period (TTP), ibuprofen was early indicated on patients with high clinical risk and PDA diameter of more than two millimeters in the first 3 days. In the expectant treatment period (EXP), the expectant approach was used. Results: A total of 201 eligible infants were screened. Of these, 99 were managed in the TTP and 102 in the EXP. From 99 infants in the TTP, 24 patients were treated early and 17 later. From 102 infants in the EXP, 17 infants with symptomatic PDA were treated. Severe BPD and/or death were more frequent in the TTP as compared to EXP (28 and 16 infants, respectively; P = 0.007; odds ratio = 2.12; confidence interval = 1.06–4.23; c = 0.216). Moreover, infants who underwent the expectant approach did not need further cardiological interventions after discharge. Conclusions: Early targeted treatment of large PDAs was associated with an increased risk of severe BPD and/or death. We must pay attention to the side effects of early ibuprofen treatment because these may outweigh the benefits of ductus closure, especially in the vulnerable population of extremely preterm infants.

ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY IN PREMATURE CHILDREN WITH HEMODYNAMICALLY SIGNIFICANT OPEN ARTERIAL DUCT

Introduction. Hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (HSPDA) leads to the “steal” phenomenon of the systemic circulation and renal hypoperfusion, which can contribute to the development of acute kidney injury (AKI).&#x0D; Aim of the study. To assess the frequency and severity of AKI according to the criteria of neonatal modification of KDIGO in premature infants with HSPDA.&#x0D; Material and research methods. We examined 74 premature infants (gestational age 29-36 weeks) who were treated in the department of anesthesiology and intensive care of newborns. The duration of observation was ten days from the first day of life. The patients were divided into three groups depending on the presence of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and its hemodynamic significance: group I - 40 children with HSPDA, group II - 17 children with PDA without hemodynamic disorders, group III - 17 children with closed arterial duct. Clinical examination and treatment of premature infants was carried out according to the generally accepted methods. In HSPDA, ibuprofen was used to close the ductus arteriosus for 32 premature babies, and restrictive infusion therapy for 8 ones.&#x0D; Doppler echocardiography was performed at 5-11 hours of life and then daily to determine the PDA, its size and hemodynamic significance. Diagnosis and stratification of the severity of acute kidney injury were carried out according to the criteria of neonatal modification KDIGO, for which the concentration of serum creatinine was studied on the first, third, fifth, seventh, tenth days and the level of urine output every 6-12 hours.&#x0D; Research results. AKI on the third day of life was diagnosed in 52.5% of children with HSPDA, which is 2.2 times more often than in children with PDA without hemodynamic significance (p &lt;0.05) and 4.4 times more often than with closed arterial duct (p&lt;0.007). On the fifth day of life, AKI was detected in two more children and their total number increased to 57.5%. On the seventh and tenth days of life, AKI in children with HSPDA was more common than in children with a closed duct (50.0% versus 11.8%, p&lt;0.008, and 29.4% versus 0%, p&lt;0.02, respectively).&#x0D; Analysis of the severity of acute kidney injury showed the effect of HSPDA on this parameter. The presence of HSPDA was a factor that led to the development of stage II AKI on the third and fifth days of life. In addition, with HSPDA, the frequency of stage III AKI increased 2.7 times within four days, while the percentage of stages I-II AKI decreased by 1.5 times.&#x0D; The frequency and severity of AKI in children with HSPDA depended on the size of the ductus arteriosus. With PDA up to 2 mm in diameter, on the third and fifth days of life, AKI was diagnosed in every fifth patient of stage I only, and on the tenth day of life - only in one patient. Meanwhile, in the majority of children with a PDA diameter of more than 2 mm, AKI was diagnosed on the third, fifth and seventh days; only on the tenth day of life, the number of such patients decreased 1.3 times. But the proportion of severe acute kidney injury practically did not change - acute kidney injury of stages II-III was observed on the first day in every second child with a large PDA diameter.&#x0D; The serum creatinine level on the third and tenth days directly depended on the size of the PDA on the first day (ρ = 0.493, p˂0.001 and ρ = 0.432, p˂0.002, respectively). With HSPDA, this dependence was more pronounced (ρ = 0.732, p˂0.001 and ρ = 0.731, p˂0.001, respectively) than in the group with PDA without hemodynamic significance (ρ = 0.285, p&lt;0.05 and ρ = 0.324, p&gt;0.05, respectively). The serum creatinine concentration directly correlated with the closure time of the PDA. Analysis of the connection between the rate of closure of the PDA and the presence of AKI in the HSPDA group showed that in the case of late closure of the ductus arteriosus (at 3-5 days of life), 16 (94.1%) premature infants suffered from kidney damage versus 1 (5.9%) case among children, in which the duct closed in the first two days (OR = 36.57; CI: 4.02-332.34 p&lt;0.001). A close correlation was also established between the rate of closure of the PDA and the maximum stage of the AKI (ρ = 0.700, p˂0.001).&#x0D; Conclusions. HSPDA contributes to the development of AKI in premature infants. The diameter and rate of closure of the ductus arteriosus determine the frequency and severity of AKI in premature infants with HSPDA. Additional research is needed to diagnose acute kidney injury in premature babies with HSPDA earlier.

Clinical Analysis of Thrombocytopenia following Transcatheter Occlusion of a Patent Ductus Arteriosus

Background: Our aim is to analyze the correlation between severe thrombocytopenia and the diameter of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and residual shunt after PDA closure. Methods: The patients with severe thrombocytopenia (platelet count <50 × 10⁹/L) following transcatheter occlusion of a PDA from January 2010 to December 2018 in the Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University were collected. And the high-risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of severe thrombocytopenia were analyzed. Results: A total of 1,581 children with transcatheter occlusion of a PDA were collected; 22 (1.39%) of the enrolled patients had severe thrombocytopenia. Further data analysis showed that the median diameter of PDA (6.7 [IQR: 1.63]) mm in children with severe thrombocytopenia was significantly larger than that in children without severe thrombocytopenia (3.6 ± 1.7 mm, p < 0.001). Furthermore, the incidence of thrombocytopenia in children with residual shunt after operation (10.9%) was significantly higher than that in children without residual shunt (0.2%, p < 0.001). The mean time of thrombocytopenia was found to be 2.4 ± 1.3 days after intervention. All patients with thrombocytopenia were treated by methylprednisolone with or without platelet transfusion and recovered without major organ hemorrhage. Conclusions: Severe thrombocytopenia following transcatheter occlusion of a PDA may be related to the larger diameter of PDA and residual shunt. If early detection of severe thrombocytopenia is obtained, our study supports a good prognosis if appropriate measures are implemented.