title: Persistent fetal circulation: an evolving clinical and radiographic concept of pulmonary hypertension of the newborn.
abstract: The roentgenographic presentations of 11 newborn infants with hypoxemia secondary to pulmonary vasospasm and subsequent right-to-left shunting of blood through the foramen ovale and/or ductus arteriosus (persistent fetal circulation) are described (P. F. C. Syndrome). One infant had radiographically normal lungs, while ten had pulmonary parenchymal abnormalities including hyaline membrane disease [4], meconium aspiration syndrome [4], or an ill defined pattern of retained lung fluid [2]. The roentgenographic appearance of the lungs, however, was discordant with the severe hypoxemia observed in most. Heart size was variable but some degree of cardiomegaly was commonly present. Tolazoline, a potent vasodilator, was useful diagnostically and may have resulted in increased survival. An expanded clinical and roentgeonographic concept of the PFC syndrome is suggested.
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006819:Hyaline Membrane Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000151:congenital* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000151:congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008470:Meconium; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000151:congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography; D013577:Syndrome; D014339:Truncus Arteriosus, Persistent / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*