Comprehensive Evaluation of Right Heart Performance and Pulmonary Hemodynamics in Neonatal Pulmonary Hypertension : Evaluation of cardiopulmonary performance in neonatal pulmonary hypertension

Progress in the application of echocardiography in neonatal pulmonary hypertension

Purpose: This review aims to overview the use of echocardiography in diagnosing neonatal pulmonary hypertension, assessing cardiac function, and understanding the significance and limitations of various parameters in clinical practice.Materials and methods: Advancements in echocardiography for diagnosing and assessing neonatal pulmonary hypertension, evaluating cardiac function, monitoring treatment effectiveness, and predicting prognosis are discussed.Results: Echocardiography is a pivotal tool for diagnosing and managing neonatal pulmonary hypertension. It should be used with other ultrasound parameters to confirm findings and provide comprehensive analysis for improved accuracy.Conclusion: Understanding the value of echocardiography in neonatal pulmonary hypertension diagnosis and management is crucial. Its integration with other imaging modalities enhances diagnostic accuracy and improves patient outcomes.

Association between patent ductus arteriosus flow and home oxygen therapy in extremely preterm infants

BACKGROUND

Central blood flow measurements include the estimation of right and left ventricular output (RVO, LVO), superior vena cava (SVC) flow, and calculated patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) flow. We aimed to provide an overview of the maturation patterns of these values and the relationship between PDA flow and the need for home oxygen therapy.

METHODS

This prospective single-center study was conducted in infants born at <26 weeks of gestation. We performed echocardiographic measurements five times during their life (from the 4th post-natal day to the 36th postmenstrual week).

RESULTS

Sixty patients with a mean birth weight of 680 (590, 760) g were included. Postnatal development of LVO and PDA flow peaked at the end of the second postnatal week (427 and 66 mL/kg/min, respectively). The RVO increased between days 4 and 7-8. The SVCF was most stable. The development curves of PDA flow differed between the groups with (n = 28; 47%) and without home oxygen therapy.

CONCLUSION

We present the central blood flow values and their postnatal development in infants <26 weeks of gestation. This study demonstrates the association between PDA flow and the future need for home oxygen therapy.

IMPACT

This study enriches our knowledge of the long-term development of central blood flow parameters and derived patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) flow in extremely preterm infants (<26 weeks). While pulmonary resistance decreased, PDA flow continued to increase from day 4 to the end of the second week of life. Similarly, left ventricular output increased as a marker of preload. The superior vena cava flow remained stable. The observed association between PDA flow and an unfavorable respiratory outcome is important for future studies focusing on the prevention of chronic lung disease.

Early changes in cardiac troponin T and NT-proBNP levels in neonates receiving ECMO support: a single-center experience

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to examine the changes in absolute value and decline rate of early serum cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in neonates who received veno-arterial (V-A) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support therapy within the first week of life.

METHODS

We retrospectively collected clinical data and laboratory test results of 18 neonates who underwent V-A ECMO support within one week of birth, from July 2021 to June 2023, using the electronic medical record system. These patients were categorized into survival and death groups. Comparative analyses of the absolute values and decline rates of cTnT and NT-proBNP were made between the groups at baseline, and at 24, 48, and 72 h post-ECMO initiation.

RESULTS

Out of the 18 neonates, 12 survived (survival rate: 66.7%), while 6 succumbed. The survival group exhibited significantly lower absolute values of cTnT and NT-proBNP than the death group, and their decline rates were significantly higher. Notably, all neonates without an early decline in cTnT and NT-proBNP levels were in the death group.

CONCLUSION

The early changes in the absolute value and decline rate of serum cTnT and NT-proBNP in neonates undergoing V-A ECMO may serve as predictors of their prognosis.

Meconium aspiration syndrome: from pathophysiology to treatment

Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) is a clinical condition characterized by respiratory distress in neonates born through meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF). Despite advances in obstetric practices and perinatal care, MAS remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality in term and post-term newborns. Since the 1960s, there have been significant changes in the perinatal and postnatal management of infants born through MSAF. Routine endotracheal suctioning is no longer recommended in both vigorous and non-vigorous neonates with MSAF. Supportive care along with new treatments such as surfactant, inhaled nitric oxide, and high-frequency ventilation has significantly improved the outcome of MAS patients. However, determining the most appropriate approach for this condition continues to be a topic of debate. This review offers an updated overview of the epidemiology, etiopathogenesis, diagnosis, management, and prognosis of infants with MAS.

Asphyxia, Therapeutic Hypothermia, and Pulmonary Hypertension

Neonates with a perinatal hypoxic insult and subsequent neonatal encephalopathy are at risk of acute pulmonary hypertension (aPH) in the transitional period. The phenotypic contributors to aPH following perinatal asphyxia include a combination of hypoxic vasoconstriction of the pulmonary vascular bed, right heart dysfunction, and left heart dysfunction. Therapeutic hypothermia is the standard of care for neonates with moderate-to-severe hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. This review summarizes the underlying risk factors, causes of aPH in neonates with perinatal asphyxia, discusses the unique phenotypical contributors to disease, and explores the impact of the initial insult and subsequent therapeutic hypothermia on aPH.

The biventricular contribution to chronic pulmonary hypertension of the extremely premature infant

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate factors associated with significant pulmonary hypertension [PH] (≥2/3 systemic) and its impact on ventricular function at 36 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA).

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort of infants born at <29 weeks who survived to their echocardiography screening for PH at 36 weeks PMA. Masked experts extracted conventional and speckle-tracking echocardiography [STE] data.

RESULTS

Of 387 infants, 222 were included and 24 (11%) categorized as significant PH. Significant PH was associated with a decrease in tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (0.79 vs 0.87 cm, p = 0.03), right peak longitudinal strain [pLS] by STE (-19.6 vs -23.1%, p = 0.003) and left pLS (-25.0 vs -22.7%, p = 0.02). The association between biventricular altered function by STE and significant PH persisted after adjustment for potential confounders - LV-pLS (p = 0.007) and RV-pLS (p = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Our findings are suggestive that premature newborns with significant PH at 36 weeks PMA have a biventricular cardiac involvement to their pathophysiology.

Management of cardiac dysfunction in neonates with pulmonary hypertension and the role of the ductus arteriosus

Pulmonary hypertension in the neonate is associated with cardiopulmonary disturbances and neurodevelopment morbidity. The patent ductus arteriosus is a persistent fetal shunt that can be pathologic vs supportive in the setting of neonatal pulmonary hypertension. Understanding the underlying pathophysiology of pulmonary hypertension and the cardiopulmonary effects of various phenotypes can guide management in this vulnerable population. In this narrative, we will summarize the physiologic principles of pulmonary hypertension, the impact of the patent ductus arteriosus on various phenotypes, and the utility of serial targeted neonatal echocardiography to individualize clinical assessment and management.

Meconium Aspiration Syndrome: A Narrative Review

Meconium aspiration syndrome is a clinical condition characterized by respiratory failure occurring in neonates born through meconium-stained amniotic fluid. Worldwide, the incidence has declined in developed countries thanks to improved obstetric practices and perinatal care while challenges persist in developing countries. Despite the improved survival rate over the last decades, long-term morbidity among survivors remains a major concern. Since the 1960s, relevant changes have occurred in the perinatal and postnatal management of such patients but the most appropriate approach is still a matter of debate. This review offers an updated overview of the epidemiology, etiopathogenesis, diagnosis, management and prognosis of infants with meconium aspiration syndrome.

Pulmonary hypertension and myocardial function in infants and children with Down syndrome

Down Syndrome (DS) is the most common chromosomal abnormality of live born babies. Individuals with DS are at increased risk of cardiopulmonary morbidities in the early neonatal period, infancy and childhood that manifest with elevated pulmonary arterial pressures and altered myocardial performance. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) during the early neonatal period remains under-recognised in this population. PH may occur with or without a congenital heart defect in children with DS and is more common than in the general population. Early detection and continued screening of PH throughout infancy and childhood for these at-risk children is crucial for prompt intervention and potential prevention of long-term sequelae on cardiac function. This review summarises the main physiological concepts behind the mechanisms of PH in children with DS and provides a summary of the current available literature on PH and its impact on myocardial performance.

Updates on Management for Acute and Chronic Phenotypes of Neonatal Pulmonary Hypertension

Neonatal pulmonary hypertension is a heterogeneous disease in term and preterm neonates. It is characterized by persistent increase of pulmonary artery pressures after birth (acute) or an increase in pulmonary artery pressures after approximately 4 weeks of age (chronic); both phenotypes result in exposure of the right ventricle to sustained high afterload. In-depth clinical assessment plus echocardiographic measures evaluating pulmonary blood flow, pulmonary vascular resistance, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, and myocardial contractility are needed to determine the cause and provide individualized targeted therapies. This article summarizes the causes, risk factors, hemodynamic assessment, and management of neonatal pulmonary hypertension.

Changes in the Interventricular Septal Curvature in Healthy Full-term Neonates During the First 14 Days of Life

OBJECTIVES

Interventricular septal geometry and motion reflect the interaction between the ventricles, and an abnormal shape and abnormal motion are always regarded as signs of increased right ventricular or pulmonary artery pressure. During the neonatal period, there are profound changes in the cardiac circulation. The aims of this study were to quantitatively analyze neonatal septal deformations under normal physiologic conditions and evaluate the changes in association with the hemodynamic changes occurring during the transitional period.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of 114 healthy full-term neonates from birth to 14 days of age. Normalized septal curvatures were measured on left ventricular parasternal short-axis views during end diastole and end systole. The interventricular pressure gradient, ratio of ventricular volumes, septal strain, thickness, and some clinical characteristics were assessed, along with the association of these parameters with septal curvature.

RESULTS

All 4 normalized septal curvatures were found to have a significant correlation with the trans-septal pressure gradient (TSPG) and the end-diastolic volume ratio of the left and right ventricles (P < .0001). The TSPG had the highest impact on septal curvature, and among the 4 curvatures, the middle end-systolic normalized septal curvature had the highest correlation with the TSPG (r² = 0.948; P < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS

There were significant correlations between septal curvature and the interventricular pressure gradient and ventricular volume ratio in healthy full-term neonates. The normalized septal curvatures gradually increased with increasing age and could be good indicators of the hemodynamic changes occurring during the transitional period.