title: Prostaglandin therapy for ductal patency: how long is too long?
abstract: The management of neonates born with duct-dependent congenital heart defects in association with prematurity or low birth weight is challenging. We describe two preterm and low birth weight infants with duct-dependent congenital heart disease where cardiac surgery was successfully delayed by maintaining ductal patency using a prolonged prostaglandin infusion. This allowed time for growth and maturation and therefore reduced the risks associated with surgery and cardiopulmonary bypass.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Maintenance of ductal patency by a prolonged prostaglandin infusion in low birth weight or preterm infants with duct-dependent congenital heart disease is a viable option that allows cardiac surgery to be delayed whilst awaiting further growth and development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Cardiology, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Malcolm
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brodlie
authors.forename: Milind
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chaudhari
authors.forename: Asif
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hasan
mesh_terms: D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004374:Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004933:Esophageal Atresia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006345:Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D018636:Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007223:Infant; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D018633:Pulmonary Atresia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D015232:Dinoprostone