title: The hemodynamic effects of neonatal patent ductus arteriosus shunting on superior mesenteric artery blood flow.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine if the ratio of the pulsatility index (PI) of the left pulmonary artery to the PI of the descending aorta, the Rp/Rs index, correlates with the degree of ductal steal from the intestine in neonates with a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).
  
  
  METHODS
  Echocardiograms and Doppler studies of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) were performed in 41 neonates less than 35 weeks gestational age with a hemodynamically significant PDA (hsPDA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant negative correlation between the Rp/Rs index and the SMA PI after controlling for ductal size (r=-0.476, p<0.008).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Rp/Rs index can be used as an indicator of ductal steal on intestinal blood flow. The Rp/Rs index may be a useful adjunct to existing and new techniques for improving early assessment and treatment of hsPDA, and for evaluating the effects of hsPDA on systemic organs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa, FL 33606, USA.
authors.forename: Mayra
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Freeman-Ladd
authors.forename: Jonathan B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: Jane D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Carver
authors.forename: James C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Huhta
mesh_terms: D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology; D004374:Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017538:Mesenteric Artery, Superior / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011674:Pulse; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014463:Ultrasonography