Value of bedside echocardiography in predicting persistent patency of the ductus arteriosus during the early postnatal period in very low birth weight infants / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#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.@*METHODS@#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.@*RESULTS@#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.@*CONCLUSIONS@#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.

Pseudocoartación aórtica en niños con ductus arterioso persistente: dos casos de una patología extremadamente infrecuente en menos de 48 horas / Aortic pseudocoarctation in children with persistent ductus arteriosus: two cases of an extremely uncommon pathology in less than 48 hours

Introducción: mientras la persistencia del ductus arterioso (PDA) es la cardiopatía congénita más frecuente, encontrar una pseudocoartación aórtica es muy poco frecuente y lo es más hallarlo en niños y solo hay unos cuantos casos reportados de este hallazgo en niños asociado a PDA. Material y Métodos: se describen los casos de 2 pacientes (1 con diagnóstico preoperatorio y otro sin él) con esta asociación: tanto los datos preoperatorios, los hallazgos transoperatorios, y su manejo trans y postoperatorio que operamos en menos de 48 horas. (AU)

Introduction: while the persistence of ductus arteriosus (PDA) is the most frequent congenital heart disease, finding an aortic pseudocoarctation is very rare and more find it in children and there are only a few reported cases of this finding in children associated with PDA. Material and Methods: we describe the cases of 2 patients (1 with preoperative diagnosis and another without it) with this association: the preoperative data, the transoperative findings, and their trans and postoperative management that we operated on in less than 48 hours. (AU)

Value of near-infrared spectroscopy in monitoring intestinal tissue oxygen saturation in preterm infants with hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus: a prospective research / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study the change in regional oxygen saturation (rSO@*METHODS@#The preterm infants with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) who had gestational age <32 weeks and/or birth weight <1 500 g were prospectively enrolled, who were admitted to the Department of Neonatology, Shenzhen Longgang Central Hospital from October 2017 to October 2020.According to the diagnostic criteria for hsPDA, the preterm infants with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) were divided into two groups: hsPDA and non-hsPDA. According to closure of the ductus arteriosus after oral administration of ibuprofen, the preterm infants in the hsPDA group were subdivided into two groups: hsPDA closure and hsPDA non-closure. Hemodynamic parameters were measured at diagnosis of PDA and after treatment, and the level of intestinal tissue rSO@*RESULTS@#A total of 241 preterm infants with PDA were enrolled, with 55 infants (22.8%) in the hsPDA group and 186 infants (77.2%) in the non-hsPDA group. There were 36 infants (65%) in the hsPDA closure group and 19 infants (35%) in the hsPDA non-closure group. Compared with the non-hsPDA group, the hsPDA group had a significantly higher left atrial diameter/aortic root diameter ratio and significantly lower left ventricular ejection fraction and fractional shortening (@*CONCLUSIONS@#hsPDA has an impact on intestinal tissue oxygenation in preterm infants, and continuous monitoring of intestinal tissue rSO

Unusual presentation of patent ductus arteriosus in elderly patient

Abstract We presented a case of a 56-year-old man with giant pulmonary artery aneurysm caused by a misdiagnosed patent ductus arteriosus, severe multivalvular disease and active aortic valve endocarditis successfully treated by surgery. The correct diagnosis was missed despite preoperative diagnostics because the small patent ductus arteriosus was located at the distal part of common pulmonary trunk and a huge regurgitant signal overlapped its Doppler signal. Thorough evaluation of every patient, regardless of age, is necessary to recognize and treat this congenital anomaly.

Extrapleural closure of patent Ductus Arteriosus: how we do it

Abstract Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a clinical condition mostly found in premature newborns. Among several medical, surgical and interventional treatment options, extrapleural ligation through a left minithoracotomy is recognized as a safe, efficient and less expensive technique. In fact, it requires short surgical times, grants good exposure of the duct and nearby structures (e.g., thoracic duct, left recurrent laryngeal nerve), and avoids pleural space opening and subsequent pulmonary complications in preterm patients. This approach seems ideal due to its lower costs, especially in developing countries with a high birth rate and limited resources.

Análisis de los resultados del programa de ecocardiografía funcional neonatal en un hospital pediátrico de tercer nivel / Analysis of the results of the neonatal functional echocardiography program in a third-level pediatric hospital

Resumen Introducción: Se ha demostrado la utilidad del estudio ecocardiográfico en las enfermedades que afectan a los neonatos en estado crítico, por lo que se debe capacitar al neonatólogo para la toma y la interpretación de variables hemodinámicas que apoyen la toma de decisiones. El objetivo de este estudio fue describir los resultados del programa de ecocardiografía funcional neonatal y comparar las variables clínicas y hemodinámicas entre sobrevivientes y no sobrevivientes. Métodos: Durante un periodo de 2 años se realizó un estudio observacional, transversal y comparativo en neonatos que fueron evaluados con ecocardiografía funcional neonatal por alteraciones hemodinámicas del conducto arterioso persistente, hipertensión pulmonar aguda y crónica, estado de choque y búsqueda de trombos y vegetaciones. Se evaluaron parámetros de funcionalidad de los ventrículos derecho e izquierdo, presión pulmonar y subrogados de sobrecarga pulmonar. Se realizó un análisis comparativo (U de Mann Whitney y Χ2). De acuerdo con los resultados, se emitieron recomendaciones para el inicio, el ajuste o el retiro de fármacos vasoactivos. Resultados: Se realizaron 269 estudios en 119 neonatos (64.7% prematuros, mortalidad del 15%) atendidos por hipertensión pulmonar aguda (38%), conducto arterioso persistente (27%), choque (19%), hipertensión pulmonar crónica (14%) o búsqueda de trombos (2%). Se recomendó cambiar el manejo en el 45% de los estudios. El grupo de no sobrevivientes presentó diferencias significativas en los parámetros de función sistólica del ventrículo derecho y aumento de su poscarga. Conclusiones: La causa principal de la evaluación con ecocardiografía funcional neonatal fue la hipertensión pulmonar. De forma global, se recomendó un ajuste farmacológico en el 45% de los casos.

Abstract Background: Echocardiography is useful in the group of comorbidities of critically ill newborns. The targeted neonatal echocardiography program trains neonatologists for acquiring and interpreting hemodynamic variables to support decision making. This study aimed to describe the results of the functional echocardiography program (fNE) and compare clinical and hemodynamic variables between survivors and non-survivors. Methods: Observational, cross-sectional, and comparative study of neonates that received a fNE evaluation for hemodynamic disturbances related to patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), acute and chronic pulmonary hypertension (aPH, cPH), state of shock and thrombus/vegetations surveillance for two years. Functional parameters of the right and left ventricle, pulmonary pressure, and surrogates of pulmonary over circulation were assessed. Comparative analysis with U Mann Whitney test and Χ2 was performed. Based on the results, recommendations to start, adjust, or withdraw vasoactive medications were issued. Results: Of 269 studies on 119 neonates (65% premature, 15% mortality), the reasons for consultation were aPH (38%), PDA (27%), shock (19%), cPH (14%), and thrombus surveillance (2%). A change in management was recommended on 45% of studies. Non-survivors presented significant differences in the right ventricular (RV) systolic performance and an increased right ventricular afterload. Conclusions: The main indication for fNE was pulmonary hypertension. A pharmacological adjustment was recommended on 45% of the cases.

Potts Anastomosis: Transthoracic Echocardiographic Features - Tetralogy of Fallot, Doubly Committed Sub-arterial Ventricular Septal Defect, Anomalous Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery Crossing Right Ventricular Outflow Tract / Anastomosis de Potts: características ecocardiográficas transtorácicas - tetralogía de Fallot, defecto septal con compromiso doble subarterial ventricular, y arteria coronaria descendente anterior izquierda anómala a través del tracto de salida ventricular derecho

ABSTRACT Potts anastomosis is a central systemic-pulmonary surgical shunt between the descending aorta and the left pulmonary artery, developed and subsequently disbanded in the 1950s to provide pulmonary blood flow in patients with tetralogy of Fallot. Blalock-Taussig shunt is a peripheral systemic pulmonary communication which was varied to make the modified Blalock-Taussig shunt, which is now the standard of surgical care for temporary or permanent blood flow to the right or left pulmonary artery from the subclavian artery. The central shunts were disbanded in the 1950s as early development of pulmonary hypertension and its sequelae were the major prohibitive complications. This is a case report of a patient with tetralogy of Fallot with a rare combination of doubly committed sub-arterial ventricular septal defect, anomalous left anterior descending coronary artery crossing the right ventricular outflow tract and patent ductus arteriosus, who developed pulmonary hypertension within four years of Potts anastomosis and then required cardiac and lung transplantation. The transthoracic echocardiographic images are the focussed feature in this paper, confirming clearly defined structural anatomy in complex structural congenital heart disease.

RESUMEN La anastomosis de Potts - desarrollada y disuelta posteriormente en los años 50 - es una derivación quirúrgica sistémico-pulmonar central entre la aorta descendente y la arteria pulmonar izquierda, cuyo fin es proporcionar flujo de sangre pulmonar en pacientes con la tetralogía de Fallot. La derivación de Blalock-Taussig es una comunicación pulmonar sistémica periférica. Este procedimiento sufrió cambios que condujeron a la derivación modificada de Blalock-Taussig, que es ahora el procedimiento quirúrgico estándar para tratar el flujo de sangre temporal o permanente hacia la arteria pulmonar derecha o izquierda desde la arteria subclavia. Las derivaciones centrales fueron disueltas en los años 50, cuando el desarrollo temprano de la hipertensión pulmonar y sus secuelas eran las complicaciones prohibitivas principales. Éste es un reporte de caso de un paciente con la tetralogía de Fallot con una rara combinación de defecto septal con compromiso doble subarterial ventricular, arteria coronaria descendente anterior izquierda anómala a través del tracto de salida ventricular derecho, y conducto arterioso persistente. El paciente desarrollo hipertensión pulmonar a los cuatro años de una anastomosis de Potts, y requirió entonces trasplante cardíaco y pulmonar. Las imágenes ecocardiografias transtorácicas constituyen el aspecto central de este trabajo, que confirma la anatomía estructural claramente definida de la enfermedad cardíaca congénita, estructuralmente compleja.

Velocity time integral for right upper pulmonary vein in VLBW infants with patent ductus arteriosus

OBJECTIVE: Early diagnosis of significant patent ductus arteriosus reduces the risk of clinical worsening in very low birth weight infants. Echocardiographic patent ductus arteriosus shunt flow pattern can be used to predict significant patent ductus arteriosus. Pulmonary venous flow, expressed as vein velocity time integral, is correlated to ductus arteriosus closure. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between significant reductions in vein velocity time integral and non-significant patent ductus arteriosus in the first week of life. METHODS: A multicenter, prospective, observational study was conducted to evaluate very low birth weight infants (<1500 g) on respiratory support. Echocardiography was used to evaluate vein velocity time integral on days 1 and 4 of life. The relationship between vein velocity time integral and other parameters was studied. RESULTS: In total, 98 very low birth weight infants on respiratory support were studied. On day 1 of life, vein velocity time integral was similar in patients with open or closed ductus. The mean vein velocity time integral significantly reduced in the first four days of life. On the fourth day of life, there was less of a reduction in patients with patent ductus compared to those with closed patent ductus arteriosus and the difference was significant. CONCLUSIONS: A significant reduction in vein velocity time integral in the first days of life is associated with ductus closure. This parameter correlates well with other echocardiographic parameters and may aid in the diagnosis and management of patent ductus arteriosus.

A proposed method to visualize the ductus arteriosus on transesophageal echocardiography.

The ductus arteriosus occupies a uniquely privileged position in the management of heart disease; it initiated not only the surgical management of congenital lesions but also the percutaneous management of this subset. During trans-thoracic echocardiography (TTE) the ductus is often visualized using ‘high’ parasternal (or the ‘ductal’ view) or suprasternal windows. It is generally agreed that imaging ductus during transesophageal echo (TEE) can be sub-optimal. During TEE imaging, visualization of the ductus arteriosus is obscured by the acoustic impedance offered by the left main bronchus; adjunct techniques such as insertion of a saline filled balloon in this airway have been used. We describe a simple maneuver that allows visualization of the patent ductus arteriosus during TEE imaging without the use of any adjuncts.

Single therapeutic catheterization for treatment of native coarctation of aorta and large patent ductus arteriosus using a covered stent.

A 20-year-old girl was diagnosed to have severe coarctation of the aorta, large patent ductus arteriosus and severe pulmonary artery hypertension. She underwent single therapeutic catheterization for the treatment of native coarctation of aorta and closure of ductus arteriosus using 39 mm long Cheatham-Platinum covered stent. The procedure was done successfully under local anesthesia without any complication. This appears to be a safe strategy while dealing with an adolescent or an adult with this combination of lesions.

Use of Amplatzer duct occluder to close severely hypertensive ducts: utility of transient balloon occlusion.

BACKGROUND: The dividing line between a patent ductus arteriosus with severe but reversible pulmonary artery hypertension and an Eisenmenger duct remains elusive. Increasing experience with the Amplatzer duct occluder has made non-surgical closure of even large patent ductus arteriosus simple and safe. However, data on the use of this device in severly hypertensive ducti is sparse. METHODS AND RESULTS: There were six patients (2 males, 4 females), wherein transient ductal occlusion was done with an embolectomy balloon catheter. The post-occlusion hemodynamics along with overall clinical and hemodynamic assessment was used to decide the likelihood of benefit of closure and the choice of the device. In four of six patients of patent ductus arteriosus with severe pulmonary artery hypertension (pulmonary vascular resistance index> 8.0 U/m2) the duct was successfully closed using the Amplatzer duct occluder, while in two an Amplatzer ventricular septal defect occluder was used. CONCLUSIONS: Transient balloon occlusion is quite helpful for assessing patients with patent ductus arteriosus with severe pulmonary hypertension, and short-term non-invasive follow-up has shown this strategy to be safe and useful.

Patent ductus arteriosus with a left to right shunt in a 64-year-old asymptomatic male.

We report here the unusual case of a 64 year old male, who was incidentally found to have a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). The patient was asymptomatic. Echocardiography revealed a moderate sized PDA with normal left ventricular function and mild pulmonary hypertension. As the patient was asymptomatic and was not willing for any form of intervention, he was discharged and is currently under close follow-up. To the best of our knowledge this is the oldest reported case of a PDA in Indian literature.