title: Myocardial assessment using tissue doppler imaging in preterm very low-birth weight infants before and after red blood cell transfusion.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate myocardial velocities in anemic very low-birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants, pre and post red blood cells transfusion using tissue Doppler imaging echocardiography.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-eight VLBW preterm infants34 weeks and>2 weeks old were prospectively divided: Transfused symptomatic infants (Hematocrit (Hct)<0.30 (n=32)) and non transfused asymptomatic controls (control 1, Hct >0.30 (n=9) and control 2, Hct <0.30 (n=7)). Echocardiography was performed before and 3-5 days after transfusion in the transfused, and the controls were studied at similar intervals. Non parametric tests were used for statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Left ventricular (LV) systolic velocity increased (transfused (4.6±0.70 vs 6.0±0.65, P<0.01)) as did LV diastolic velocities (P<0.01) without significant difference over time in each control. The percentage change in LV velocity following transfusion correlated negatively (ρ=0.36) with pre transfusion Hct.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a significant increase in myocardial performance following transfusion, which is related to the severity of the anemia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology, Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. dr_shahid_saleemi@yahoo.com
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Saleemi
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bruton
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: El-Khuffash
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kirkham
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Franklin
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Corcoran
mesh_terms: D000751:Anemia, Neonatal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D008297:Male; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000502:physiology*