[Echocardiographic post-neonatal progress of preterm neonates with patent ductus arteriosus].
OBJECTIVE
To identify clinical and echocardiography predictors of the spontaneous closure of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm neonates.


METHODS
Sixty-one consecutive preterm neonates (gestational age 30+/-2 weeks, birth weight 1.2+/-0.2 kg) were evaluated by echocardiogram on their third day of life and those with patent ductus arteriosus were selected for a prospective cohort. Echocardiography was repeated weekly until they reached term. Based on their progress, the sample population was divided into two groups, depending on whether spontaneous closure of patent ductus arteriosus took place (Group A) or not (Group B). The prevalence of clinical signs of patent ductus arteriosus and echocardiography findings at baseline were compared between the groups.


RESULTS
Patent ductus arteriosus was found in 21 neonates (34%). Spontaneous closure was observed during follow-up of seven patients (Group A, 33% of those with patent ductus arteriosus), in contrast with the remaining 14 patients (Group B, 67%). Clinical signs of patent ductus arteriosus were present in 14% of the patients in Group A, compared with 71% in group B (p = 0.01). At baseline, Group B had a larger ductus diameter in relation to Group A (2.6+/-0.6 mm vs. 1.4+/-0.6 mm; p = 0.003). The area under the ROC curve in relation to ductus diameter was 0.93 (p = 0.003) and 100% sensitivity for identifying cases without spontaneous closure was obtained at the cutoff point of 1.7 mm, while 100% specificity was observed taking 2.2 mm as the cutoff.


CONCLUSIONS
In preterm neonates, a patent ductus arteriosus greater than 2.2 mm on the third day of life predicts no spontaneous closure and suggests a need for early treatment, especially when associated with clinical signs.
Afiune
Jorge Yussef
JY
Divisão de Cardiologia Pediátrica, Instituto do Coração do Distrito Federal (InCor-DF), Brasilia, DF, Brazil. jorge.afiune@incordf.zerbini.org.br
Singer
Julio M
JM
Leone
Cléa Rodrigues
CR
D001724:Birth Weight; D004374:Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous