Indomethacin use for the management of patent ductus arteriosus in preterms: a web-based survey of practice attitudes among neonatal fellowship program directors in the United States

Effect of chest shielding during phototherapy for hyperbilirubinemia on symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus - a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Meta-analysis of randomized trials suggests that phototherapy is associated with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). We hypothesized that chest shielding during phototherapy would decrease the incidence of symptomatic PDA (sPDA) compared to sham shielding.

METHODS

A single center, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was performed to evaluate the effect of chest shielding during phototherapy on sPDA in infants ≤ 29 weeks gestational age (GA) or with birth weight (BW) ≤ 1000 g. Infants were randomized to either chest shield (with aluminum foil, intervention group) or sham shield (without aluminum foil, control group) during phototherapy. The primary outcome was sPDA during the period 24 h after phototherapy initiation until 3 days after phototherapy cessation.

RESULTS

160 infants were randomized with 10 infants withdrawn from each group due to shield placement after phototherapy initiation. Of 140 infants analyzed, the mean GA and BW was 26.6 weeks and 872 g, respectively. There was no difference in the incidence of sPDA between the intervention (n = 70) and control group (n = 70) (10% vs 11%, respectively, adjusted odds ratio 0.78, 95% CI:0.33-1.82; p = 0.57).

CONCLUSIONS

Chest shielding during phototherapy had no effect on sPDA in infants ≤ 29 weeks GA or with BW ≤ 1000 g.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

http://clinicaltrials.gov , Identifier: NCT02552927.

IMPACT

Meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials suggests that chest shielding during phototherapy used for hyperbilirubinemia may decrease the incidence of patent ductus arteriosus. The effect of chest shielding during phototherapy on symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus has not been evaluated in a double-blind randomized trial. In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, chest shielding during phototherapy was not associated with a decreased incidence of symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus in premature infants.

International Variation in the Management of Patent Ductus Arteriosus and Its Association with Infant Outcomes: A Survey and Linked Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether treating patients with a presymptomatic patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), based on early routine echocardiography, performed regardless of clinical signs, improved outcomes.

STUDY DESIGN

This multicenter, survey-linked retrospective cohort study used an institutional-level questionnaire and individual patient-level data and included infants of <29 weeks of gestation born in 2014-2016 and admitted to tertiary neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) of 9 population-based national or regional neonatal networks. Infants in NICUs receiving treatment of presymptomatic PDA identified by routine echocardiography and those not were compared for the primary composite outcome (early death [≤7 days after birth] or severe intraventricular hemorrhage) and secondary outcomes (any in-hospital mortality and major morbidities).

RESULTS

The unit survey (response rates of 86%) revealed a wide variation among networks in the treatment of presymptomatic PDA (7%-86%). Among 246 NICUs with 17 936 infants (mean gestational age of 26 weeks), 126 NICUs (51%) with 7785 infants treated presymptomatic PDA. The primary outcome of early death or severe intraventricular hemorrhage was not significantly different between the NICUs treating presymptomatic PDA and those who did not (17% vs 21%; aOR 1.00, 95% CI 0.85-1.18). The NICUs treating presymptomatic PDA had greater odds of retinopathy of prematurity treatment (13% vs 7%; aOR 1.47, 95% CI 1.01-2.12); however, it was not significant in a sensitivity analysis excluding Japanese data.

CONCLUSIONS

Treating presymptomatic PDA detected by routine echocardiography was commonplace but associated with no significant benefits. Well-designed trials are needed to assess the efficacy and safety of early targeted PDA treatment.

Efficacy and safety of high versus standard dose ibuprofen for patent ductus arteriosus treatment in preterm infants: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Several small randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies have compared high (15-20/7.5-10/7.5-10 mg/kg/dose) versus standard dose (10/5/5 mg/kg/dose) ibuprofen for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure, with limited evidence on efficacy and safety.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review and meta-analyze studies of high versus standard dose ibuprofen for the closure of PDA in preterm infants.

METHODS

Databases were searched for RCTs and observational studies assessing high compared to standard dose of ibuprofen for PDA closure for preterm infants until August 2021. The primary outcome was failure of PDA closure after the first course of ibuprofen. The secondary outcomes were the failure of PDA closure after a second course of ibuprofen, rates of PDA ligation, all-cause mortality prior to hospital discharge, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, necrotizing enterocolitis, bleeding disorders, oliguria, and serum creatinine after treatment.

RESULTS

There were 6 studies with 369 patients (3 RCT, N = 190; 3 observational studies, N = 179). Compared to standard dose, high dose ibuprofen did not significantly decrease the failure rate of PDA closure in preterm infants after the first course (Relative risk (RR) 0.74, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.53 -1.03, 6 studies, N = 369). High dose ibuprofen significantly decreased the rates of PDA ligation compared to standard dose (RR 0.33, 95% CI 0.16 -0.70, 5 studies, N = 309).

INTERPRETATION

Based on low-grade evidence, high dose ibuprofen may more effectively reduce rates of PDA ligation compared to standard dose with no increase in adverse effects, neonatal morbidities and mortality.

Survey of PDA management in very low birth weight infants across Italy

Background

The optimal management of PDA in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants is still controversial. Aim of our study was to investigate the management of PDA in the Italian neonatal intensive care units (NICU).

Methods

We conducted an on-line survey study from June to September 2017. A 50-items questionnaire was developed by the Italian Neonatal Cardiology Study Group and was sent to Italian NICUs.

Results

The overall response rate was 72%. Diagnosis of PDA was done by neonatologists, cardiologists or both (62, 12 and 28% respectively). PDA significance was assessed by a comprehensive approach in all centers, although we found a heterogeneous combination of parameters and cut-offs used. None used prophylactic treatment. 19% of centers treated PDA in the first 24 h, 60% after the first 24 h, following screening echocardiography or clinical symptoms, 18% after the first 72 h and 2% after the first week. In the first course of treatment ibuprofen, indomethacin and paracetamol were used in 87, 6 and 7% of centers respectively. Median of surgical ligation was 3% (1–6%).

Conclusions

Significant variations exist in the management of PDA in Italy. Conservative strategy and targeted treatment to infants older than 24 h with echocardiographic signs of hemodynamic significance seemed to be the most adopted approach.

Neonatologist performed echocardiography (NPE) in Italian neonatal intensive care units: a national survey

Background

Neonatologist performed echocardiography (NPE) has increasingly been used to assess the hemodynamic status in neonates. Aim of this survey was to investigate the utilization of NPE in Italian neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).

Methods

We conducted an on-line survey from June to September 2017. A questionnaire was developed by the Italian neonatal cardiology study group and was sent to each Italian NICU.

Results

The response rate was 77%. In 94% of Italian NICUs functional echocardiography was used by neonatologists, cardiologists or both (57, 15 and 28% respectively). All the respondents used NPE in neonates with patent ductus arteriosus and persistent pulmonary hypertension, 93% in neonates with hypotension or shock, 85% in neonates with perinatal asphyxia, 78% in suspicion of cardiac tamponade, and 73% for line positioning.

In 30% of center, there was no NPE protocol. Structural echocardiography in stable and critically ill neonates was performed exclusively by neonatologists in 46 and 36% of center respectively.

Conclusions

NPE is widely used in Italian NICUs by neonatologists. Structural echocardiography is frequently performed by neonatologists. Institutional protocols for NPE are lacking. There is an urgent need of a formal training process and accreditation to standardize the use of NPE.

The effect of professional-led guideline workshops on clinical practice for the management of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm neonates in Japan: a controlled before-and-after study

Background

Clinical guidelines assist physicians to make decisions about suitable healthcare. We conducted a controlled before-and-after study to investigate the impact of professional-led guideline workshops for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) management on physicians’ clinical practices, discharge mortality, and associated morbid conditions among preterm neonates.

Methods

We recruited physicians practicing at two neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in Japan and used the data of all neonates weighing less than or equal to 1,500 g admitted to 90 NICUs (2 intervention NICUs and 88 control NICUs) in the Neonatal Research Network of Japan from April 2008 to March 2010. We held 1-day workshops for physicians on PDA clinical practice guidelines at the two intervention NICUs. Physicians’ skills assessed by confidence rating (CR) scores and the Sheffield Peer Review Assessment Tool (SPRAT) were compared between pre- and post-workshop month at the intervention NICUs using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Neonatal discharge mortality and morbidity were compared between pre- and post-workshop year at both the intervention and control NICUs using multivariable regression analyses adjusting for potential confounders.

Results

Fifteen physicians were included in the study. Physicians’ CR scores (2.14 vs. 2.47, p = 0.02) and SPRAT (4.14 vs. 4.50, p = 0.05) in PDA management improved after the workshops. The analyses of neonatal outcomes included 294 and 6,234 neonates in the intervention and control NICUs, respectively. Neonates’ discharge mortality declined sharply at the intervention NICUs (from 15/146 to 5/148, relative risk reduction −0.67; adjusted odds ratio 0.30, 95% confidence interval 0.10 to 0.89) during the post-workshop period. The mortality reduction was much greater than that in the control NICUs (from 207/3,322 to 147/2,912, relative risk reduction −0.19; adjusted odds ratio 0.75, 95% confidence interval 0.59 to 0.95), although the difference between the intervention and control NICUs were not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Overall, physicians’ confidence in PDA management improved after attending guideline workshops. Face-to-face workshops by guideline developers can be a useful strategy to improve physicians’ PDA management skills and, thereby, might reduce PDA-associated mortality in preterm neonates.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13012-015-0258-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The fate and observed management of giant coronary artery aneurysms secondary to Kawasaki disease in the Province of Quebec: the complete series since 1976

Most population-based series reporting on the coronary artery complications after Kawasaki disease (KD) originate from Japan. This study aimed to describe the complete series of KD patients from the province of Quebec in Canada, a predominantly Caucasian population. This retrospective case series was conducted by the Quebec Kawasaki Disease Registry, a multi-institutional collaboration reviewing 89.8 % of all KD cases identified by the Ministry of Health records of hospitalization for KD from the first recognized case in 1976 until 2008. This report describes the course of 38 patients (95 % Caucasians) with a diagnosis of giant coronary artery aneurysms, which represent 1.9 % of all reviewed cases and 26.2 % of those with a coronary aneurysm 5 mm or larger. The age at diagnosis was 5.52 ± 4.04 years, and the follow-up period was 9.26 ± 6.9 years. The KD diagnosis was retrospective at autopsy in two cases and via echocardiography in four cases. The overall freedom from coronary thrombi, coronary intervention, or death was respectively 63.9, 67.5, and 85.1 %. Five deaths occurred as follows: 21 days after onset of fever (2 cases), 1.8 months after onset of fever (1 case), 1 year after retrospectively presumed but previously undiagnosed KD (1 case), and 5.7 years after a KD diagnosis (1 case of sudden cardiac death). Percutaneous transluminal coronary revascularization was attempted in four cases (1 requiring cardiac transplantation), and two other cases underwent primary bypass graft surgery. Whereas this study investigated cases of KD with severe coronary sequelae in the Province of Quebec, larger collaborative studies should be conducted for further understanding of the disease in predominantly non-Asian populations.

Repeated courses of ibuprofen are effective in closure of a patent ductus arteriosus

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a frequent complication in preterm infants. Ibuprofen and indomethacin (both COX inhibitors) are used for pharmacological closure of PDA. In most centers, a failed second course of COX inhibitors is followed by surgical closure. Our aim was to estimate the closure rate of clinically significant PDA after second and third courses of ibuprofen and record possible side effects. A study population, consisting of 164 preterm infants (<32 weeks' gestational age) with PDA admitted at our tertiary care center between November 2005 and September 2011, was retrospectively analyzed. Primary outcome was the closure rate after repeated courses of ibuprofen. The closure rate was similar after the first (109/164), second (24/43), and third (6/11) course of ibuprofen (X(2) = 2.1, p = 0.350). Late start of the first course of ibuprofen was a predictive factor for increased need of a second course (X(2) = 4.4, p = 0.036). No additional side effects of multiple courses of ibuprofen were detected. In conclusion, repeated courses of ibuprofen are an effective and safe alternative for surgical closure and should be considered after failure of the first course of ibuprofen.

Low-dose aminophylline for the treatment of neonatal non-oliguric renal failure-case series and review of the literature

OBJECTIVE

Aminophylline is a methylxanthine with multiple physiologic actions. At low doses, aminophylline can antagonize adenosine and improve renal function via increased glomerular filtration rate. Despite its clinical use, little data exists in neonates for this indication. Therefore, the objective of this report is to describe the impact of aminophylline on renal function indices in a series of neonates with acute renal failure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a retrospective chart review of 13 neonates with acute renal failure who received aminophylline during a 15-month study period. Aminophylline was administered at 1 mg/kg intravenously or orally every twelve hours. Forty-six percent (n = 6) of the patients received a 5 mg/kg loading dose before initiation of maintenance therapy. Most patients had already received other treatments for renal failure, including diuretics and dopamine.

RESULTS

Resolution of acute renal failure (with normalization of serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen) was documented in 10 patients (77%). Four of the thirteen patients died from complications due to their prematurity. Failure of low-dose aminophylline was observed in 3 of the 4 patients who died.

CONCLUSIONS

Low-dose aminophylline in neonates with acute renal failure is associated with an improvement in renal function indices.

Patent ductus arteriosus: are current neonatal treatment options better or worse than no treatment at all?

Although a moderate-sized patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) needs to be closed by the time a child is 1-2 years old, there is great uncertainty about whether it needs to be closed during the neonatal period. Although 95% of neonatologists believe that a moderate-sized PDA should be closed if it persists in infants (born before 28 weeks) who still require mechanical ventilation, the number of neonatologists who treat a PDA when it occurs in infants who do not require mechanical ventilation varies widely. Both the high likelihood of spontaneous ductus closure and the absence of randomized controlled trials, specifically addressing the risks and benefits of neonatal ductus closure, add to the current uncertainty. New information suggests that early pharmacologic treatment has several important short-term benefits for the preterm newborn. By contrast, ductus ligation, while eliminating the detrimental effects of a PDA on lung development, may create its own set of morbidities that counteract many of the benefits derived from ductus closure.

Determinants of surgical repair of patent ductus arteriosus in low-birth-weight infants

PURPOSE

To identify risk factors related to the failure of indomethacin therapy and the need for surgical repair in patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in extremely low-birth-weight (<1000 g) infants (ELBWI).

METHODS

Study subjects were 36 ELBWI with PDA born at a single tertiary perinatal center. They were classified into those who required surgery due to failure of indomethacin treatment (surgical group, n = 21) and those with effective indomethacin treatment (non-surgical group, n = 15). The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for the relationship between selected risk factors and surgical treatment of PDA were calculated.

RESULTS

Gestational age of <28 weeks and diameter of PDA of 2 mm or more were independent and significant determinants of the need for surgical repair of PDA (adjusted ORs [95% CIs] = 9.91 [1.16-84.48] and 24.80 [2.72-225.74], respectively). The need for surgical repair of PDA did not correlate with sex, birth weight, 1-min Apgar score, left atrium diameter/aortic diameter (LA/Ao), left ventricular internal dimension at end-diastole, prophylaxes with indomethacin, and total dosage of indomethacin.

CONCLUSIONS

Gestational age at birth of <28 weeks and diameter of PDA of 2 mm or more are determinants of failure of indomethacin treatment for PDA and the need for surgical repair.

Functional echocardiography; from physiology to treatment

Functional echocardiography (fECHO) is the bedside use of ultrasound to longitudinally assess myocardial function, systemic and pulmonary blood flow, and intra and extracardiac shunts. This review will focus on fECHO as a tool for the clinician to assess the hemodynamic condition of sick neonates and describe situations where fECHO can help determine a pathophysiological choice for cardiovascular support. The very low birth weight infant with hypotension during the first 24h of life, assessment and monitoring of the ductus arteriosus, assessment and response to treatment of infants with pulmonary hypertension, the infant with perinatal asphyxia and the infant with sepsis and cardiovascular compromise are reviewed. Close cooperation with pediatric cardiology, proper logistics and training programs are mandatory to achieve a 24h a day fECHO service run by bedside clinicians.

Comparison of intravenous and enteral indomethacin administration for closure of patent ductus arteriosus in extremely-low-birth-weight infants

BACKGROUND

The objective of this retrospective cohort study was to compare the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure rate with different routes (intravenous and enteral) of indomethacin treatment and neonatal outcomes.

METHODS

Infants with a birthweight < 1,000 g born between July 1997 and June 2007 at Taipei Veterans General Hospital and who received indomethacin treatment for PDA were included in the study. Outcome measures were ductal closure rate and neonatal outcomes.

RESULTS

Of 41 extremely-low-birth-weight infants with PDA, 3 infants had spontaneous closure and 3 died before treatment. Of the remaining 35 infants, 13 received enteral ethanol solution of indomethacin and 22 received the intravenous (IV) form. The total closure rates of the IV and enteral groups were 81.8% and 76.9%, respectively. There were no significant differences in the incidence of impaired renal function, necrotizing enterocolitis, chronic lung disease or severe retinopathy of prematurity between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that ethanol-based indomethacin is an effective alternative to IV indomethacin for the pharmacological closure of PDA in extremely-low-birth-weight infants.

Furosemide in preterm infants treated with indomethacin for patent ductus arteriosus

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of furosemide on renal function and water balance in preterm infants treated with indomethacin (3 x 0.2 mg/kg at 12-h intervals) for symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We performed a retrospective multi-centre double cohort study in preterm infants <32 weeks of gestational age. Thirty-two infants treated with furosemide (1 mg/kg i.v.) before each indomethacin dose (furosemide group) were matched with 32 infants with indomethacin treatment alone (control-group). Renal effects (urine output, weight gain, serum creatinine, sodium concentration) were registered.

RESULTS

The study groups were comparable for gestational age, birth weight and day of therapy. Pretreatment differences were observed for urine output, weight and serum sodium. However, no differences were noticed in day-to-day urine output change or weight gain between the groups. A significant increase in serum creatinine concentration (50% vs. control, 18%; p < 0.05) and a concomitant significant decrease in serum sodium (-9 vs. control, -3 mmoL/L; p < 0.05) in the furosemide group was observed 72-96 h after starting therapy.

CONCLUSION

Furosemide before each indomethacin dose resulted in a significant increase in serum creatinine and hyponatremia, without increasing urine output.

Analysis of outcome in 298 extremely low-birth-weight infants with patent ductus arteriosus

PURPOSE

Indomethacin is accepted therapy for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in ELBW infants (<1000 g). We hypothesize that surgical ligation may provide comparatively superior outcomes in select ELBW infants.

METHODS

Predischarge outcomes of 298 ELBW infants with echocardiography-proven PDA were retrospectively compared by treatment provided: no treatment (group 1, n = 54), indomethacin (group 2, n = 140), ligation (group 3, n = 46), and ligation after indomethacin failure (group 4, n = 58). chi(2) and Wilcoxon rank sum tests were used to test for significance. Institutional review board approval was obtained (IRB/05-00395).

RESULTS

Group 3 had significantly lower gestational age (P < .001), birth weight (P = .006), and 5-minute Apgar scores (P = .03) compared with group 2. Group 3 and group 1 had a higher rate of pretreatment intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) compared with group 2 (P < .001). By contrast, posttreatment complications including acute renal failure, necrotizing enterocolitis, thrombocytopenia, and IVH occurred more frequently in groups 2 (P = .004) and 4 (P = .001) compared with group 3. Survival was 57.7% in group 1 compared with groups 2, 3, and 4 (82.4%, 86.0%, and 92.7% respectively; P = .001). Preoperative conditions associated with nonsurvival include gestational age (P = .009), birth weight (P = .002), maternal preeclampsia (P = .015), 5-minute Apgar score (P = .013), and sepsis (P = .018). Posttreatment complications associated with nonsurvival include acute renal failure (P = .002), thrombocytopenia (P = .002), and necrotizing enterocolitis (P = .034). Survival was not influenced by any congenital comorbidity, pre- or posttreatment IVH, diameter of the PDA, or recurrence of the PDA after indomethacin therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

(1) Patent ductus arteriosis requires treatment in ELBW infants to maximize survival. (2) Indomethacin and surgical ligation permit equivalent survival in low-risk ELBW infants, but indomethacin results in a high failure and complication rate requiring operative salvage in a number of patients. (3) Surgical ligation permits survival of high-risk ELBW infants with a low complication rate and is preferable to indomethacin in ELBW infants with the above risk factors.

Multiple courses of indomethacin and neonatal outcomes in premature infants

The objective of this retrospective cohort study was to determine patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure rate with multiple short courses (three doses) of postnatal indomethacin and compare neonatal outcomes in infants who received two versus three courses of indomethacin for PDA closure. Infants <34 weeks' gestational age born between January 2000 and December 2004 at the University of Maryland Medical Center and who received two or more short courses of indomethacin were included. Outcome measures were ductal closure rate and neonatal outcomes. Of 61 infants who were identified to have received two or more courses of indomethacin, 26 infants closed their ductus after the second course (response rate, 42%). Of the 35 infants who failed ductal closure after two courses, 11 infants had their ductus ligated and 23 received a third course of indomethacin. Of 23 who received a third course, 10 closed their ductus (response rate, 43%). There was no significant difference in the incidence of chronic lung disease, severe retinopathy of prematurity, necrotizing enterocolitis, renal function, or mortality between infants who received two and those who received three courses of indomethacin. Infants exposed to three courses of indomethacin had a statistically nonsignificant increased incidence of periventricular leukomalacia (p = 0.08; adjusted odds ratio = 4.8; 95% CI, 0.8-30) and remained in the hospital for a longer duration (p = 0.02) compared to infants exposed to two courses of indomethacin. We conclude that multiple courses of indomethacin may be associated with a ductal closure. However, the requirement for a third course may be associated with an increased risk of periventricular leukomalacia.