Cerebral autoregulation in neonates with a hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus

Abstract

Objective

Very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants are at risk for impaired cerebral autoregulation with pressure passive blood flow. Fluctuations in cerebral perfusion may occur in infants with a hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA), especially during ductal closure. Our goal was to compare cerebral autoregulation using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in VLBW infants treated for a hsPDA.

Study design

This prospective observational study enrolled 28 VLBW infants with a hsPDA diagnosed by echocardiogram and 12 control VLBW infants without a hsPDA. NIRS cerebral monitoring was applied during conservative treatment, indomethacin, or surgical ligation. A cerebral pressure passivity index (PPI) was calculated and PPI differences were compared using a mixed effects regression model. Cranial ultrasound and MRI data were also assessed.

Results

Infants with surgically ligated PDAs were more likely to have had a greater PPI within two hours following ligation compared with those treated with conservative management (p=0.04) or indomethacin (p=0.0007). These differences resolved six hours following treatment.

Conclusions

Cerebral autoregulation was better preserved after indomethacin treatment of a hsPDA compared with surgical ligation. Infants requiring surgical hsPDA ligation may be at increased risk for cerebral pressure passivity in the six hours following surgery.