title: [Functional echocardiography in neonatal intensive care: 1 year experience in a unit in Spain].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Several publications highlight the usefulness of functional echocardiography (FnECHO) in neonatal intensive care. Data is lacking on its use in units neonatal in Spain.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate frequency of use, patient characteristics, indications, measurements, and impact on patient management of FnECHO in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Spain over a 1 year period.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study conducted in NICU patients during 1 year.
  
  
  METHODS
  gestational age, birthweight, admission criteria, days of life at examination, indication for FnECHO, parameters assessed, and treatment modifications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  168 echocardiographic studies were performed in 50 patients (mean 3,4. SD 2,83). The most frequent indication was patent ductus (PDA) assessment (58.3%), followed by hemodynamic instability (22.2%). The results of FnECHO modified treatment in 62 cases (36.9%). In 17.4% of them treatment with ibuprofen was initiated, and in 1.2% it was discontinued. In 10.8% of the cases, the results of FnECHO modified hemodynamic support. Echocardiographic evaluation included: assessment of presence/hemodynamic significance of PDA (100%); myocardiac function: ejection fraction/shortening fraction (EF/SF) 23.8%, left ventricular output 24.4%, right ventricular output 21.4%, systemic blood flow 42.3%; and signs of pulmonary hypertension 7.7%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FnECHO is frequently used in the NICU, and in many cases it guides treatment. PDA assessment and hemodynamic instability are the most frequent indications. It still needs to be elucidated if the use of FnECHO modifies patient outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Neonatología, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Corredera
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Neonatología, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Rodríguez
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Neonatología, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Arévalo
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Neonatología, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Llorente
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Neonatología, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moro
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Neonatología, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, España. Electronic address: luisarruza@yahoo.es.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Arruza
mesh_terms: D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler / Q000379:methods; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013030:Spain; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Cuidados intensivos neonatales; Ecocardiografía funcional; Functional echocardiography; Intensive care unit; Newborn; Point-of-care ultrasound; Recién nacido; ecografía en el punto de la asistencia