title: Inadvertent relaxation of the ductus arteriosus by pharmacologic agents that are commonly used in the neonatal period.
abstract: Premature birth and disruption of the normal maturation process leave the immature ductus arteriosus unable to respond to postnatal cues for closure. Strategies that advocate conservative management of the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in premature infants are dependent on identification of the symptomatic PDA and understanding the risk factors that predispose to PDA. Exposure of premature infants to unintended vasodilatory stimuli may be one of the risk factors for PDA that is under recognized. In this article, we summarize the clinical factors that are associated with PDA and review commonly used neonatal drugs for their vasodilatory properties. Data demonstrating relaxation of the ductus arteriosus by gentamicin and other aminoglycoside antibiotics, by cimetidine and other H2 receptor antagonists, and by heparin are provided as examples of neonatal therapies that have unanticipated effects that may promote PDA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Monroe Carrell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA. jeff.reese@vanderbilt.edu
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Reese
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Veldman
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: Megan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vucovich
authors.forename: Robert B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Cotton
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002927:Cimetidine / Q000009:adverse effects; D004373:Ductus Arteriosus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004374:Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000009:adverse effects; D006493:Heparin / Q000009:adverse effects; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000009:adverse effects; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000009:adverse effects; D012307:Risk Factors; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D005839:Gentamicins; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists; D011453:Prostaglandins; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D002927:Cimetidine; D006493:Heparin