Cardiorespiratory stability during echocardiography in preterm infants.
Blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation were monitored prospectively during 40 echocardiography recordings on 17 preterm infants (25-29 weeks; 510-1430 g), to examine whether echocardiography can be performed without disturbing cardiorespiratory status in preterm infants. There was no impact on absolute blood pressure. Heart rate increased by a mean of 4 beats per minute, and oxygen saturation decreased by a mean of 1% during echocardiography. While these changes reached statistical significance they are not of clinical significance as they remained well within ranges seen during control rest periods. All readings had greater minute-to-minute variability during echocardiography but differences were small and again remained within physiological ranges.
Groves
A M
AM
National Women's Hospital, Claude Road, Epsom, Auckland 3, New Zealand. grovesalan@hotmail.com
Kuschel
C A
CA
Knight
D B
DB
Skinner
J R
JR
D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood*; D011446:Prospective Studies
D010100:Oxygen