Patent ductus arteriosus closure: experience from a tertiary referral center / Experiência de uma maternidade terciária no fechamento do canal arterial patente

ABSTRACT Objective: To characterize the number and methods of closure of Persistent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) over a span of 16 years in a third level maternity hospital. Methods: Retrospective study of neonates born between January 2003 and Deccember 2018, who underwent ductus arteriosus closure by pharmacological, surgical and/or transcatheter methods. Gestational age, birth weight, number and methods of closures per year were evaluated. The success rate of the pharmacologic method was calculated, as well as the mortality rate. The association between mortality and birthweight, treatment used and treatment failure was explored. Results: There were 47,198 births, 5,156 were preterm, 325 presented PDA and 106 were eligible for closure (median gestational age - 27 weeks, birthweight <1000 g - 61%). Frequency of PDA closure decreased during the study period, especially starting in 2010. Success rate with pharmacologic treatment was 62% after the first cycle and 74% after the second. After drug failure, 12 underwent surgical ligation and two underwent transcatheter closure. Exclusive surgical ligation was indicated in four infants. Ibuprofen replaced indomethacin in 2010, and acetaminophen was used in three infants. Among the 106 infants, hospital mortality was 12% and it was associated with birthweight <1000 g (13/65 <1000 vs. 0/41 >1000 g; p=0.002) and with failure in the first pharmacologic treatment cycle (13/27 with failure, vs. 0/75 without failure; p<0.001). Conclusions: The national consensus published in 2010 for the diagnosis and treatment of PDA in preterm infants led to a decrease in the indication for closure. Pharmacological closure was the method of choice, followed by surgical ligation. Birthweight <1000 g and first cycle of pharmacologic treatment failure were associated with higher mortality.

RESUMO Objetivo: Caraterizar o número e métodos de fechamento de canal arterial durante 16 anos numa maternidade de nível terciário. Métodos: Estudo retrospetivo de nascidos entre 01 de janeiro de 2003 a 31 de dezembro de 2018 submetidos a fechamento do canal arterial por métodos farmacológico, cirúrgico e/ou percutâneo. Avaliaram-se idade gestacional, sexo, peso ao nascimento, número de fechamentos por ano e método utilizado. Aferiram-se as taxas de sucesso de método farmacológico e de mortalidade e sua associação com peso ao nascer, fármaco utilizado e insucesso do fechamento. Resultados: Verificaram-se 47.198 recém-nascidos, 5.156 prematuros, dos quais 325 com canal arterial patente, sendo 106 com indicação para fechamento (idade gestacional mediana 27 semanas, peso <1000 g em 61%). Verificou-se diminuição do número de fechamentos ao longo dos anos, sobretudo a partir de 2010. O fechamento ocorreu em 62% após primeiro ciclo de tratamento farmacológico e em 74% após segundo. Após insucesso farmacológico, 12 realizaram ligadura cirúrgica e dois, fechamento percutâneo. Houve indicação de ligadura cirúrgica exclusiva em quatro. O ibuprofeno substituiu a indometacina em 2010. O acetaminofen foi usado em três doentes. A mortalidade nos 106 pacientes foi de 12%, associando-se ao peso ao nascer (13/65 <1000 vs. 0/41 >1000 g; p=0,002) e à falha do primeiro ciclo de tratamento farmacológico (13/27 com falha vs. 0/75 com sucesso; p<0,001). Conclusões: Consenso nacional de 2010 para diagnóstico e tratamento do canal arterial nos prematuros levou à diminuição do número de fechamentos desse canal. O fechamento farmacológico foi o método mais utilizado, seguido da ligadura cirúrgica. Peso <1000 g e falha no primeiro ciclo de fechamento farmacológico se associaram à maior mortalidade.

Prevalence of Congenital Heart Defects Associated with Down Syndrome in Korea

Congenital heart defect (CHD) is common in infants with Down syndrome (DS), which is the principle cause of mortality. However, there is no data available for the frequency and types of CHD in infants with DS in Korea. We investigated the frequency of CHD in infants with DS in Korea. After the survey on birth defects was conducted throughout the country, the prevalence of CHD in DS in 2005-2006 was calculated. This study was conducted based on the medical insurance claims database of the National Health Insurance Corporation. The number of total births in Korea was 888,263 in 2005-2006; of them, 25,975 cases of birth defects were identified. The prevalence of DS was 4.4 per 10,000 total births, accounting for 1.5% of all birth defects. Of the 394 infants with DS, 224 (56.9%) had a CHD. Atrial septal defect was the most common defect accounting for 30.5% of DS followed by ventricular septal defect (19.3%), patent duct arteriosus (17.5%), and atrioventricular septal defect (9.4%). Our study will be helpful to demonstrate the current status of DS and to identify the distribution of CHD in infants with DS in Korea.

Prevalence of Birth Defects in Korean Livebirths, 2005-2006

We investigated the livebirths prevalence and occurrence pattern of birth defects in Korea. After the survey on birth defects was done in 2,348 medical institutions around the nation, the birth defect prevalence of livebirths in 2005-2006 was calculated. This study was based on the medical insurance claims database of the National Health Insurance Corporation. The number of livebirths in Korea was 883,184 from 2005-2006, and 25,335 cases of birth defects were notified to our study, equivalent to a prevalence of 286.9 per 10,000 livebirths. Anomalies of the circulatory system were the most common defects, accounting for 43.4% of birth defects with a prevalence of 124.5 per 10,000 livebirths. It was followed by the musculoskeletal system anomalies, the digestive system anomalies, and the urinary system anomalies. The five major birth defects based on the ranking of prevalence were atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, hydronephrosis, patent ductus arteriosus, and cleft lip/palate. Birth defects in livebirths were associated with a high proportion of low birthweight, prematurity, multiple births and advanced maternal age. The prevalence of birth defects in Korea is similar to or lower than those reported in developed countries. Our study suggests baseline data to explain the current status of birth defects and to establish a registry system of birth defects in Korea.

Surfactant and patent ductus arteriosus.

Objective. To investigate the relationship between surfactant replacement therapy and the development of a haemodynamically significant ductus arteriosus. Methods. All premature infants at 28-32 wk gestation with a clinical diagnosis of respiratory distress syndrome were retrospectively reviewed and subdivided into two groups; intubated, mechanically ventilated and received surfactant (Group 1); and received nasal continuous positive airway pressure alone (Group 2). The relationship between groups and characteristics of the hemodynamically significant ductus arteriosus was analyzed. Results. Seventy babies were identified of whom 35 (50%) received surfactant. Babies in group I and II were comparable for gestational age, birthweight, antenatal steroids, gender and fluid intake in first week of life. Babies treated with surfactant therapy were found to be more likely to have a haemodynamically significant ductus arteriosus (p< 0.01), larger transductal diameter (p=0.01) and increased rate of therapeutic interventions to close the ductus (p<0.01). Ventilation parameters (mean airway pressure and fractional inspired oxygen) were higher in group I. Conclusion. Neonates with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) who were treated with surfactant replacement are at increased risk of a hemodynamically significant ductus arteriosus that requires therapeutic intervention. Whether the relationship reflects their underlying lung disease or is a direct effect of surfactant requires prospective evaluation.

Fatores associados à morbidade respiratória entre 12 e 36 meses de vida de crianças nascidas de muito baixo peso oriundas de uma UTI neonatal pública / Risk factors for respiratory morbidity at 12 to 36 months in very low birth weight premature infants previously admitted to a public neonatal intensive care unit

O objetivo do estudo foi estimar a morbidade respiratória entre 12 e 36 meses em crianças prematuras e identificar os fatores associados. A população compreendeu 84 crianças de uma coorte de prematuros de muito baixo peso. O desfecho foi a taxa de incidência de morbidade respiratória. A associação entre as variáveis independentes e morbidade respiratória foi verificada por modelo linear generalizado. Entre 12 e 24 meses, 56,3 por cento das crianças apresentaram morbidade respiratória. Entre 24 e 36 meses, 38,1 por cento das crianças foram acometidas. As variáveis associadas à morbidade respiratória foram: displasia broncopulmonar (RT = 1,9; IC95 por cento: 1,2-2,9), complacência pulmonar alterada (RT = 1,6; IC95 por cento: 1,1-2,2), pneumonia neonatal (RT = 2,8; IC95 por cento: 2,0-4,0), persistência do canal arterial (RT = 1,6; IC95 por cento: 1,1-2,4) e morbidade respiratória no primeiro ano de vida (RT = 1,8; IC95 por cento: 1,3-2,6). A incidência de morbidade respiratória entre 12 e 36 meses se manteve elevada neste grupo de crianças de alto risco, o que reforça a necessidade de acompanhamento e de intervenções efetivas na prevenção do adoecimento e na melhora da qualidade de vida destas crianças e suas famílias.

The aim of this paper was to estimate respiratory morbidity and its determinants for premature infants aged 12 to 36 months. The population comprised 84 infants from a cohort of very low birth weight premature infants. The outcome was the respiratory morbidity incidence rate. The relationship between the independent variables and respiratory morbidity was estimated using a Poisson regression model. From 12 to 24 months of age, 56.3 percent of children had experienced at least one episode of respiratory disease. >From 24 to 36 months, 38.1 percent of children were affected. Variables significantly associated with respiratory morbidity were bronchopulmonary dysplasia (RR = 1.9; 95 percentCI: 1.2-2.9), abnormal lung compliance (RR = 1.6; 95 percentCI: 1.1-2.3), neonatal pneumonia (RR = 2.8; 95 percentCI: 1.9-4.0), patent ductus arteriosus (RR = 1.6; 95 percentCI: 1.1-2.5), and respiratory morbidity in the first year of life (RR = 1.7; 95 percentCI: 1.2-2.5). The incidence of respiratory morbidity remains high in this group of high-risk infants, which calls for regular follow-up and effective interventions to prevent respiratory disease and to improve the quality of life of these children and their families.

Prevalence of congenital heart disease, Kanpur, India.

Our aim was to study the prevalence, age-wise distribution, and clinical spectrum of congenital heart disease (CHD) at a multi-speciality corporate hospital in North India. A retrospective analysis of records of 10,641 patients over a five-and-a-half year period was done. Clinical examination, echocardiography and color doppler were used as diagnostic tools. A prevalence of 26.4 per 1000 patients was observed. VSD (ventricular septal defect) was the commonest lesion (21.3%), followed by ASD (atrial septal defect) in 18.9% and PDA (patent ductus arteriosus) in 14. 6%. Tetralogy of Fallot was the commonest cyanotic heart disease (4.6%). Maximum number of children with heart disease (82.9%) were diagnosed between 0-3 years of age.

Cardiopatia congênita no recém-nascido: da solicitação do pediatra à avaliação do cardiologista / Congenital heart diseases in the newborn: from the pediatrician's request to the cardiologist's evaluation

OBJETIVO: Analisar a importância dos sintomas, como motivo de interconsulta com o cardiologista pediátrico, no diagnóstico de cardiopatias congênitas (CC) em recém-nascidos (RN). MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo de RN vivos encaminhados para avaliação cardiológica, com realização de eletrocardiografia, radiografia de tórax e ecocardiografia. Solicitação de interconsulta mediante preenchimento de ficha de múltipla escolha, constando os sintomas e sinais sugestivos de CC. Persistência do canal arterial (PCA) sem repercussão clínica e/ou hemodinâmica não foi considerada cardiopatia. RESULTADOS: Entre 1999 e 2002, foram estudados 358 dentre 3.716 RN, demonstrando 49 casos de CC e 128 de PCA. A prevalência de CC foi de 13,2:1.000 RN. O principal motivo para interconsulta com o cardiologista foi sopro em 256 (72 por cento) dos RN, dentre os quais 39 (15 por cento) eram portadores de CC e 91 por cento dos 128 casos, de PCA. Em 14 (4 por cento) dos RN, o motivo de interconsulta foi cianose, dentre os quais 8 (57 por cento) eram portadores de CC. Insuficiência cardíaca foi o motivo de interconsulta em 37 (10 por cento) dos RN, dentre os quais 17 (46 por cento) eram portadores de CC. Arritmia, malformações congênitas associadas ou cromossomopatias foram os motivos de interconsulta em 14 por cento dos casos. CONCLUSÃO: O principal motivo da interconsulta foi ausculta de sopro. Apesar de cianose e insuficiência cardíaca serem pouco freqüentes como motivo de interconsulta, sua presença indicou alta probabilidade de diagnóstico de cardiopatia. A triagem pediátrica tem papel importante para o diagnóstico.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the importance of symptoms as a reason for referral to pediatric cardiologists in the diagnosis of congenital heart diseases (CHD) in the newborn (NB). METHODS: Prospective study on live NB referred for cardiac evaluation, with performance of electrocardiogram, chest radiography and echocardiography. Cardiology consultation was requested by means of a multiple-choice form including signs and symptoms suggestive of CHD. Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) without clinical and/or hemodynamic consequences was not considered a heart disease. RESULTS: From 1999 to 2002, 358 out of 3716 NB were studied, and 49 cases of CHD and 128 of PDA were found. The prevalence of CHD was 13.2:1000 NB. The main reason for referral to the cardiologist was heart murmur in 256 (72 percent) NB, of which 39 (15 percent) had CHD, and in 91 percent of the 128 cases of PDA. In 14 (4 percent) NB, the reason for referral was cyanosis, and eight of these patients (57 percent) had a CHD. Heart failure was the reason for referral in 37 (10 percent) NB, of whom 17 (46 percent) had CHD. Arrhythmia, associated congenital malformations, or chromosome disorders were the reasons for referral in 14 percent of the cases. CONCLUSION: The main reason for referral was detection of a heart murmur on cardiac auscultation. Although cyanosis and heart failure were uncommon reasons for referral, their presence indicated a high probability of the diagnosis of heart disease. Pediatric screening plays a key role in this diagnosis.

Effect of prenatal T4 treatment in neonatal morbidity: preliminary findings

We report our experience with the use of intra-amniotic thyroxine to accelerate fetal maturation in preterm delivered infants. One hundred and fourteen infants who had received 500 micrograms of thyroxine weekly prenatally until an L/S ratio greater or equal to 2.0 was achieved, were compared to 113 premature infants who had not been given thyroxine or steroids prenatally. After stratification by weight, the relative incidence of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) were compared. A decrease in the incidence of RDS was observed in the infants with birth weight between 1000 and 1500 g who had received more than one dose of intra-amniotic thyroxine. No difference in the incidence of RDS was observed in infants with birth weight of less than 1000 g or over 1500 g. One dose of thyroxine had no effect in decreasing the incidence of RDS, PDA, NEC, and IVH in any of the groups. We conclude intra-amniotic thyroxine seems to decreases the incidence of RDS in very low birth weight infants

Persistencia del conducto arterioso / Patent ductus arteriosus

Objetivo: Presentar los resultados obtenidos en la ligadura del conducto arteriosos persistente (CAP) en el Servicio de Cirugía Vascular del Hospital San Jerónimo de Montería, Colombia en los últimos 21 años. Material y métodos: Se operaron 30 pacientes entre los años 1982 y 1997 con diagnóstico clínico y ecocardiográfico de CAP realizándose el cierre por toracotomía posterolateral izquierda (4º espacio intercostal). Resultados: El promedio de edad fue de 3,8 años, con predominio del sexo masculino. El 80 por ciento provenía de la zona rural. El antecedente más frecuente fue la rubeola materna y la prematurez, y las patologías concomitantes la infección respiratoria aguda y la catarata congénita. En el electrocardiograma preoperatorio se evidenció hipertrofia de cavidades y en el ecocardiograma disminución de la relación diámetro aorta/aurícula izquierda que se normalizó en el postoperatorio. Hubo tres complicaciones intraoperatorias (2 desclampeos del lado aórtico y 1 sección de bronquio principal izquierdo), resueltas favorablemente. La mortalidad inmediata fue del 0 por ciento. Un paciente falleció a los 6 meses como complicación de la cirugía de cataratas congénita. Conclusión: La necesidad operatoria surge para evitar la hipertensión pulmonar, disminuir el alto índice de endocarditis bacteriana y aumentar la esperanza de vida de estos pacientes. Hemos reportado 30 casos con 0 por ciento de mortalidad inmediata. Es de destacar la recuperación de la relación de los diámetros seccionales aorta/aurícula izquierda en el postoperatorio

Morbimortalidad neonatal en pacientes de muy bajo peso sometidos a ventilación mecánica / Neonatal morbidity and mortality in very low birthweight infants, who were under mechanical ventilation

El análisis de la morbimortalidad neonatal, en forma periódica, es uno de los mejores indicadores para evaluar la calidad asistencial, no solo en una unidad de cuidados intensivos neonatales, sino a nivel institucional. En un período de un año de estudió en forma prospectiva a todos los recién nacidos de muy bajo peso, es decir, neonatos con peso ó a 1,500 g, que ameritaron ventilación mecánica. Se dividieron en cuatro grupos de acuerdo al peso al nacimiento; grupo I con peso de 501 a 750 g; grupo II, 751 a 1000 g; grupo III, 1001 a 1250 g y grupo IV 1251 a 1500 g. Se analizó peso, edad gestacional, sexo, indicación inicial de ventilación mecánica, persistencia del conducto arterioso, displasia broncopulmonar, hemorragia intraventricular y mortalidad. Durante el período de estudio el 57.1 por ciento de pacientes con peso ó a 1,500 g, ameritaron ventilación mecánica (120/210). En el 70 por ciento de los casos la ventilación mecánica (VM) fue síndrome de dificultad respiratoria. La incidencia de volutrauma fue del 37.5 por ciento y de displasia broncopulmonar de 43.3 por ciento. El 25 por ciento (30/120) presentaron conducto arterioso sintomático. La incidencia de hemorragia intraventricular (HIV) fue del 53.3 por ciento. La mortalidad general para los pacientes con peso ó a 1,500 g fue del 24.3 por ciento y los que ameritaron VM fue del 42.5 por ciento. Estos resultados muestran una disminución en la mortalidad con respecto a años anteriores, con aumento en la morbilidad, principalmente displasia broncopulmonar y hemorragia subependimaria-intraventricular

Incidencia del ductus arterioso persistente clínicamente aparente en prematuros de menos de 2.000 gramos / Incidence of clinically apparent patent ductus arteriosus in premature infants less than 2000 g

Se estudió la incidencia del ductus arterioso persistente (DAP), sus características clínicas y repercusión hemodinámica en todos los RN < 2000 g (715) atendidos en nuestra unidad entre 1978-1988. Entre 566 nacidos en nuestro hospital, 100 (18%) reunieron los criterios de DAP. La incidencia desglosada por peso de nacimiento fue de 17/88 (20%) en < 1000 g; 57/179 (32%) en 1000 - 1499 g; y 26/299 (9%) en 1500 - 1999 g. De los 100 RN con significativo (DAP HS). Desglosado por peso, el porcentaje de DAP HS fue de 17/17 (100%) en < 1000 g; 30/57 (52,6%) en 1000 -1499 g; y 10/26 (38,5%) en 1500 - 1999 g. Tanto la incidencia de DAP como el porcentaje de DAP HS fue significativamente mayor en RN < 1500 g (p < 0,01 y < 0,001, respectivamente). Entre los recién nacidos trasladados a la nuestra desde otras unidades, la incidencia global de DAP fue de 45/149 (30%). Desglosada por peso fue de 7/17 (41%) en < 1000 g; 25/70 (39%) en 1000 - 1499 g; y 11/62 (18%) en 1500 - 1999 g. En los niños con DAP HS los signos y condiciones clínicas encontrados con mayor frecuencia fueron taquicardia (72%), pulso saltón (67%) y necesidad de soporte ventilatorio (64%). En 89% de ellos había alguna enfermedad respiratoria, siendo la más frecuente la membrana hialina (60%)

Manejo de la persistencia del conducto arterioso en el HCAM

Se realiza un estudio retrospectivo de pacientes diagnosticados de PCA en el servicio de neonatología del HCAM, durante un año, en el período comprendido entre el 2 de Enero de 1991 al 1 de enero de 1992. Se incluyen sólo los casos confirmados con eco doppler, y se analizan las siguientes variables: sexo, edad, gestacional, peso, grado de esfixia, ventilación mecánica, sospecha clínica en base al "score" cardiovascular. La asfixia al nacimiento y la EMH constituyen los principales factores de riesgo predisponentes con 56.25 por ciento y 31.25 por ciento respectivamente. Existe un predominio en el sexo femenino con 68.75 por ciento; el tratamiento conservador fué efectivo en el 37.5 por ciento, el farmacológico en el 50 por ciento y el quirurgico en el 12.5 por ciento.