RESUMO
Objective:To study the role of myocardial work parameters in early identification of myocardial injury in neonatal asphyxia.Methods:From July 2020 to December 2021, neonates diagnosed with mild neonatal asphyxia admitted to the Department of Neonatology of our hospital within 24 h after birth were prospectively enrolled into the asphyxia group. Neonates without asphyxia during the same period were selected as the control group and matched with the asphyxia group for gender, gestational age and birth weight at a ratio of 1:1~1:2. The asphyxia group was subgrouped into preterm asphyxia group and term asphyxia group. All neonates received echocardiography within 24 h after birth. Multiple parameters were measured including M-mode, two-dimensional image, Doppler image, global longitudinal strain (GLS) and myocardial work parameters [global work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), global wasted work (GWW), global work efficiency (GWE)]. The level of serum N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) was recorded in the asphyxia group. The data were compared between the asphyxia group and the control group. Correlations between myocardial work parameters and other parameters were analyzed.Results:A total of 33 cases were in the asphyxia group and 43 cases were in the control group. The preterm asphyxia group (18 cases) showed significantly lower GWI and GCW than the preterm control group (18 cases) [GWI: (702±153) mmHg vs. (879±205) mmHg, GCW: (1 016±221) mmHg vs. (1 200±271) mmHg] ( P<0.05). No differences existed in GLS, GWW and GWE. The term asphyxia group (15 cases) showed significantly lower GWW than the term control group (25 cases) [45.0 (30.0, 65.0) mmHg vs. 71.0 (35.5,85.5) mmHg] ( P<0.05). No differences existed in GLS, GWI, GCW and GWE. GWI was negatively correlated with serum NT-proBNP level ( r=-0.327, P<0.05). Conclusions:GWI and GCW may indicate myocardial injury in preterm neonates with mild asphyxia.