Acetaminophen to avoid surgical ligation in extremely low gestational age neonates with persistent hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus

Clinical and echocardiography predictors of response to first-line acetaminophen treatment in preterm infants with hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus

OBJECTIVE

To assess clinical and echocardiography predictors of acetaminophen response for the treatment of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in preterm neonates.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study of preterm infants born <30 weeks, with a diagnosis of hemodynamically significant PDA, who received 1st line treatment with intravenous acetaminophen during the first 2 postnatal weeks. Response was defined by PDA closure or improvement in PDA score of >50%.

RESULTS

A total of 100 infants were included whose median weight and gestational age at birth were 663 grams and 24.6 weeks respectively. In total, 66 infants were classified as responders and were more likely to have intrauterine growth restriction, exposure to maternal hypertension and chorioamnionitis. Non-response was more common among infants with thrombocytopenia and anemia.

CONCLUSION

Responders were more likely to be IUGR with echocardiography indices of lower preload. Response to 1st line intravenous acetaminophen therapy is comparable to non-steroidal drugs in preterm infants. Relationship of response to acetaminophen to perinatal characteristics requires further characterization.

Rectal Acetaminophen Improves Shunt Volume and Reduces Patent Ductus Arteriosus Ligation in Extremely Preterm Infants

OBJECTIVE

An alternative therapy for preterm infants with a hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA) is needed when cyclooxygenase inhibitors fail or where treatment is contraindicated due to coexisting renal failure, necrotizing enterocolitis, and/or intestinal perforation. No studies have evaluated the efficacy of per rectum (PR) acetaminophen. The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of PR acetaminophen in modulating the risk of PDA ligation.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective matched case-control study was conducted to compare neonates born <29 weeks' gestation with evidence of hsDA, in an era when rescue rectal acetaminophen was used (January 2014-March 2018) as a treatment strategy, versus historical controls (July 2006-August 2012). All patients underwent comprehensive echocardiography assessment of ductal shunt volume according to a standardized protocol. Acetaminophen treated neonates were matched according to demographics, gestation, preintervention echocardiography features, and comorbidities. Control patients were selected when an echocardiography was performed at an equivalent postnatal age. Infants with a genetic syndrome, severe congenital malformation, or major forms of congenital heart disease excluding small atrial septal defect or ventricular septal defect, PDA, or patent formale ovale were excluded. The primary outcome was surgical ligation of the PDA. Secondary outcomes included echocardiography indices of hemodynamic significance, the composite of death, or severe BPD (defined by ventilator dependence at 36 weeks postmenstrual age). Descriptive statistics and univariate (t-tests, Fisher's exact test, and Mann-Whitney U test) analyses were used to evaluate clinical and echocardiography characteristics of the groups and compare outcomes.

RESULTS

Forty infants (20 cases and 20 controls), with similar demographic and echocardiography features, were compared. Cases received 6.8 ± 0.7 days (60 mg/kg/day) of PR acetaminophen. Responders (n = 12, 60%) had echocardiography evidence of reduced ductal diameter (2.2 mm [1.9-2.6] to 1.1 mm [0-1.7], p = 0.002), left ventricular output (363 ± 108-249 ± 61 mL/min/kg; p = 0.002) and left atrium to aortic root ratio (1.7 ± 0.3-1.3 ± 0.2; p = 0.002) following treatment. The rate of PDA ligation was 50% lower (p = 0.02) and composite outcome of death or severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia was reduced (p = 0.04) in the acetaminophen group.

CONCLUSION

Rectal acetaminophen was associated with improvement in echocardiography indices of PDA shunt volume, a 50% reduction in PDA ligation rates and a reduction in the composite outcome of death or severe BPD. Pharmacologic and further prospective clinical studies are needed.

KEY POINTS

· Many preterm infants encounter the clinical consequences of a hemodynamically significant PDA.. · The merits and optimal timing of PDA ligation remains an area of controversy amongst neonatologists.. · Cyclooxygenase inhibitors are associated with adverse events or are often contraindicated..

The Predictive Value of Lung Ultrasound Score on Hemodynamically Significant Patent Ductus Arteriosus among Neonates ≤25 Weeks

Lung ultrasound (LU) is increasingly used to diagnose and monitor neonatal pulmonary disorders; however, its role in hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA) has not been elucidated. This prospective study investigated the predictive value of the LU score (LUS) for hsPDA in preterm infants with gestational age (GA) ≤ 25 weeks. Preterm infants with GA ≤ 25 weeks were enrolled in this study. LU was conducted on the fourth day of life (DOL). Six lung regions in every lung were scanned, with each region rated as 0-4 points. The performance of the LUS in predicting hsPDA among infants aged ≤25 weeks was analyzed by plotting the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. A total of 81 infants were included in this study. GA, birth weight (BW), gender, Apgar score, delivery mode, antenatal steroids, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, premature rapture of membrane, and early-onset sepsis were not significantly different, but infants in the hsPDA group had increased LUS (38.2 ± 2.8 vs. 30.3 ± 4.3, p < 0.001) compared with non-hsPDA group. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) value of the LUS on the fourth DOL was 0.94 (95% CI: 0.93-0.99) in predicting hsPDA. The LUS threshold at 33 achieved 89% sensitivity and 83% specificity, with the positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) being 87 and 86%, respectively. The LUS can predict hsPDA in extremely preterm infants at an early stage.

Is late treatment with acetaminophen safe and effective in avoiding surgical ligation among extremely preterm neonates with persistent patent ductus arteriosus?

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate the association of late treatment with acetaminophen vs. immediate surgical ligation with death or neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) among extremely low gestational age neonates (ELGANs) with persistent patent ductus arteriosus (pPDA).

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective comparative epoch study of ELGANs with pPDA being considered for surgical ligation. ELGANs in epoch 1 (2009-2012) were referred for ligation, while infants in epoch 2 (2012-2015) were treated with oral acetaminophen and referred for ligation in the absence of improvement. The primary outcome was a composite of death/NDI at 18-24 months.

RESULTS

Ninety-two ELGANs with median[IQR] GA 25.2 weeks [24.4, 26.3] had pPDA (43 in epoch 1, 49 in -epoch 2) with acetaminophen-exposed neonates receiving 7 days [7, 7] of treatment. ELGANs in epoch 2 had reduced ligation (aOR 0.30; 95%CI: [0.11, 0.87]), but there was no difference in death/NDI (aOR 1.03; 95%CI: [0.30, 3.56]).

CONCLUSIONS

Late treatment with acetaminophen to avoid surgery for pPDA is associated with reduced ligation but no difference in death/NDI, supporting the safety and effectiveness of this approach.

Late Acetaminophen Therapy for Patent Ductus Arteriosus in the Preterm Neonate

OBJECTIVE

In preterm infants, the standard pharmacologic treatment for a hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA) is either ibuprofen or indomethacin. However, these medications may be less effective after 2 weeks of age. We investigated the use of acetaminophen in hsPDA closure beyond 2 weeks of age.

METHODS

An observational study of 11 infants, <30 weeks' gestation at birth and postnatal age > 2 weeks, who received acetaminophen treatment for their hsPDA. Echocardiograms (ECHOs), B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels, and the fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO₂) were obtained before and after treatment to analyze ductal characteristics. Renal and liver functions were monitored pretreatment and posttreatment to look for potential medication side effects.

RESULTS

Of the 10 infants with ECHO data for before and after acetaminophen treatments, 4/10 (40%) had a decrease in PDA size, with no infants having complete closure immediately posttreatment. Eight of 11 (73%) infants had a decreased FiO₂ requirement after treatment. Of the 5 infants with pretreatment and posttreatment BNP data, 2/5 (40%) infants had a decrease in BNP level. One infant received an additional course of acetaminophen. Four infants underwent a surgical ligation. Two infants died. No medication side effects occurred with regard to hepatic and renal function.

CONCLUSION

Acetaminophen is a safe and effective pharmacologic treatment to reduce the significance of the hsPDA in some infants beyond 2 weeks of age, as shown by ECHO and BNP data.

Selective Treatment of PDA in High-Risk VLBW Infants With Birth Weight ≤800 g or <27 Weeks and Short-Term Outcome: A Cohort Study

Background: Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) causing significant left to right shunt can increase key morbidities in preterm infants. Yet, treatment does not improve outcomes and spontaneous closure is the natural course of PDA. The Impact of PDA on 23-26-week gestation infants is uncertain. Selective treatment of such infants would likely balance outcomes. Objective: To test the hypothesis that treatment of PDA in high-risk VLBW infants [birth weight ≤800 g or gestation <27 weeks, hemodynamically significant, ductal diameter (DD, ≥1.6 mm), and mechanical ventilation] and expectant management in low-risk infants will reduce the need for treatment and surgical ligation, without altering short term morbidities. Methods: This prospective observational study was initiated subsequent to the introduction of a new treatment protocol in 2016. The 12-months before and after protocol introduction were, respectively, defined as standard and early selective treatment periods. In the early selective treatment cohort, PDA was treated with indomethacin, maximum of two courses, 1 week apart. Surgical ligation was considered after 30 days of age if indicated (DD ≥2 mm, mechanical ventilation). Primary outcomes were need for treatment and rate of ligation. Protocol compliance and secondary outcomes were documented. Results: 415 infants were studied, 202 and 213 in the standard treatment and early selective treatment cohorts, respectively. Numbers treated (per protocol) in the standard treatment and early selective treatment cohorts were 27.7 and 19.3% (56/202 and 41/213) (p = 0.049), and the respective ligation rates were 7.54 and 2.96% (P = 0.045). Secondary outcomes were comparable. Conclusion: The early selective treatment protocol reduced the rates of treatment and surgical ligation of PDA, without altering key morbidities. Further studies under a randomized control trial setting is warranted.

Acetaminophen in low doses for closure of the ductus arteriosus of the premature

Objective

The objective of the study is to report the experience with acetaminophen in low doses as an alternative to the treatment of the ductus arteriosus of the preterm newborn.

Materials and Methods

Retrospective study including preterm newborns with patent ductus arteriosus who received oral acetaminophen because treatment with indomethacin had failed or is contraindicated. A dosage consisted of a first dose of 25 mg/kg and maintenance doses of 30 mg/kg/day, for 3 to 7 days. A second cycle was administered in cases of reopening of the ductus arteriosus. The rates of ductal closure and surgery were calculated. Patients were categorized into responder and nonresponder groups for acetaminophen, and the average values of ductal diameter, weight, gestational age, and postnatal age were compared.

Results

Eighty-seven preterm newborns, with a postnatal age from 3 to 27 days, with average values of ductus arteriosus equal to 2.5 ± 0.8 mm/kg, gestational age 27.2 ± 1.9 weeks, and birth weight 888.9 ± 241 g, received acetaminophen for 3 to 7 days. A second cycle was administered in 15 preterm newborns. The ductus closure rate, after one or two cycles, was 74.7%, and the recommendations for surgical closure were progressively reduced from 50% in the 1^st year to 6.2% in the past year. Lower ductal closure rate occurred in the group of newborns with the lowest average weight (P = 0.018), the highest average ductal diameter (P = 0.002), and the lowest average gestational age (P = 0.09). Postnatal age at the start of acetaminophen use was shown to be irrelevant regarding the treatment (P = 0.591).

Conclusions

Acetaminophen in low doses showed to be an effective alternative for the closure of the ductus arteriosus for preterm newborns in whom treatment with indomethacin or ibuprofen failed or was contraindicated.

International perspective on management of a patent ductus arteriosus: Lessons learned

Whereas association between a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and neonatal morbidities has been well described, consensus has not been reached on whether the relationship is causal, on benefit of (or lack of) treatment, on factors guiding the 'need to treat', and on treatment strategies. Trials to date have primarily focused on the narrow outcome of successful ductal closure. Evidence from several retrospective studies has suggested that management may be modified with increased use of conservative treatment. A paradigm shift has resulted in decreased use of treatments to close the PDA in some centres. This approach cites the lack of demonstrable improvement in short- and long-term respiratory and neurodevelopmental outcomes as an argument. This article reviews current understanding of the wide variation in practice at either institutional, regional, national, or international level. It discusses the potential contributors to variability in diagnostic ascertainment and therapeutic intervention.

Late oral acetaminophen versus immediate surgical ligation in preterm infants with persistent large patent ductus arteriosus

OBJECTIVE

The study objective was to evaluate the association of oral acetaminophen therapy versus immediate surgical ligation with neonatal outcomes in infants with persistent patent ductus arteriosus.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study of preterm infants born 28⁺⁶ weeks or less gestational age with persistent large patent ductus arteriosus being considered for surgical ligation after unsuccessful medical therapy. Infants in epoch 1 (July 2009 to June 2012) were immediately referred for ligation, and infants in epoch 2 (July 2012 to June 2015) were treated with oral acetaminophen and referred for ligation in the absence of improvement. The primary outcome was a composite of death or chronic lung disease.

RESULTS

A total of 92 infants with median (interquartile range) gestational age 25.2 weeks (24.4-26.3) had persistent large patent ductus arteriosus (43 in epoch 1, 49 in epoch 2). Infants in epoch 2 had decreased surgical ligation (26 [53%] vs 31 [72%]; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.12-0.89) but increased chronic lung disease (36 [73%] vs 25 [58%]; aOR, 3.34; 95% CI, 1.05-10.58) and increased death/chronic lung disease of borderline significance (39 [80%] vs 29 [67%]; aOR, 3.09; 95% CI, 0.99-9.63). Infants in epoch 2 took longer to wean off of positive pressure ventilation (28.5 vs 24 days after enrollment; aOR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.31-0.85).

CONCLUSIONS

Late oral acetaminophen therapy for infants with persistent patent ductus arteriosus is associated with reduced surgical ligation but increased chronic lung disease. In light of a lack of improvement in clinical outcomes, the individual contributory effects of acetaminophen, surgical ligation, and prolonged exposure to patent ductus arteriosus require further study to define the optimal approach.

Diagnosis and Management of Patent Ductus Arteriosus

Preterm infants are at increased risk for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Prolonged exposure to PDA may be deleterious and has been associated with neonatal morbidity and mortality. Although the molecular mechanisms underlying regulation of postnatal ductus arteriosus closure are not fully understood, clinical experience and research trials have informed recent changes in PDA management strategies and refocused treatment strategies on smaller subsets of infants who require intervention. This review examines current diagnostic and management approaches to PDA in preterm neonates.

Evidence-based use of acetaminophen for hemodynamically significant ductus arteriosus in preterm infants

While cyclooxygenase inhibitors have been the most common medications used to facilitate earlier closure of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants, adverse effects and variable efficacy have highlighted a need for alternative options. Acetaminophen facilitates ductal closure via an alternate pathway of prostaglandin inhibition. Despite treatment with high doses, toxicity is uncommon in preterm infants, possibly due to immature hepatic metabolism. Pooled data from randomized clinical trials of early treatment demonstrate that acetaminophen has similar efficacy as cyclooxygenase inhibitors for PDA closure with a favorable side effect profile and without any apparent increase in adverse neonatal outcomes. Acetaminophen may therefore be an ideal first-line agent among moderately and extremely preterm infants, though there is a paucity of data from controlled trials regarding its use in infants at the border of viability (gestation age ≤25 weeks). Evidence from clinical studies of limited quality supports acetaminophen treatment as rescue therapy for infants with persistent PDA after unsuccessful cyclooxygenase inhibitor treatment, including those being considered for surgical ligation.

Acetaminophen for Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Extremely Low-Birth-Weight Neonates

OBJECTIVE

Although non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the current standard therapy for the treatment of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), many neonates have contraindications to receiving or may fail NSAID therapy. To avoid surgical ligation, these patients may benefit from an alternative therapy. The objective of this research is to report the efficacy and safety of acetaminophen for the treatment of PDA in a cohort of premature neonates.

METHODS

Demographics and clinical course were retrospectively evaluated for all neonates admitted during the study period who received acetaminophen for the treatment of PDA. Initial acetaminophen dosing was 15 mg/kg every 6 hours (88% intravenous). Efficacy was analyzed from ductal constriction on echocardiogram as well as need for further PDA treatment. Markers of hepatic and renal function as well as respiratory support and neonatal morbidities were evaluated to describe the safety of acetaminophen.

RESULTS

Forty-one neonates were identified with a median birth weight of 760 g (IQR 614-948 g) and median gestational age of 25 weeks (IQR 24-27 weeks). Treatment was initiated at a median postnatal age of 15 days (IQR 8-19 days) for a median duration of 7 days (IQR 6-10 days). Twenty-seven neonates (66%) required no further PDA treatment, with echocardiographic PDA closure documented in 10 neonates (24%) and reduced ductal size in 15 neonates (37%). No clinically significant adverse effects attributable to acetaminophen therapy were detected.

CONCLUSIONS

Most patients in this study responded to acetaminophen treatment for PDA, indicating that this therapy may be an option for extremely low-birth-weight neonates in order to avoid surgical ligation.

Oral Paracetamol for Patent Ductus Arteriosus Rescue Closure

The objective of this study was to ascertain the efficacy of oral paracetamol in closing a symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) when used as 'rescue' option. After obtaining ethics approval, a retrospective appraisal of the data from April 2014 to July 2015 was performed. Infants who were administered oral paracetamol either after unsuccessful therapy with ibuprofen or where it was considered contraindicated were included. A previously published echocardiographic scoring schema to stratify for ductal disease severity was used. Using univariate analysis, characteristics of infants with successful closure were compared with partial (a priori reduction in composite score by ≥ 50% of pretreatment) or no closure. Twenty infants with gestation age and birthweight of 25.7 ± 1.5 weeks and 724.1 ± 143 g, respectively, were studied. Complete closure was noted in 10 (50%) infants with additional four infants showing a significant reduction in haemodynamic shunting. Gestational age at birth and at therapy, chronological age at therapy, birthweight and total fluid intake were comparable between the two groups. The pre-therapy composite score had a significant association with successful closure (the higher the echocardiographic score, the lesser the closure). Concomitant furosemide therapy and late-onset sepsis had a high likelihood ratio of unsuccessful closure (11.01 [2-tailed, p = 0.005] and 5.3 [2-tailed, p = 0.07]), respectively. Oral paracetamol may be a possible therapeutic option in premature infants where therapy with first-line agents is unsuccessful or contraindicated. Concomitant sepsis and furosemide administration may affect successful therapy.

Efficacy of Paracetamol in Closure of Ductus Arteriosus in Infants under 32 Weeks of Gestation

BACKGROUND

Standard medical treatment for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure has been indomethacin/ibuprofen or surgical ligation. Up to date, new strategies have been reported with paracetamol. The aim of this study was to present our experience with intravenous paracetamol for closing PDA in preterm neonates presenting contraindication to ibuprofen or ibuprofen had failed and no candidates for surgical ligation because of huge instability.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective case series study in a neonatal intensive care unit from a tertiary hospital. 9 preterm infants ≤32 weeks of gestational age with hemodynamically significant PDA (hsPDA) were enrolled. They received 15 mg/kg/6h intravenous paracetamol for ductal closure. Demographic data and transaminase levels before and after treatment were collected.

RESULTS

30 preterm babies were diagnosed of hsPDA. 11/30 received ibuprofen with closure in 81.1%. 9 received intravenous paracetamol mainly due to bleeding disorders or thrombocytopenia. Successful closure on paracetamol was achieved in seven of nine babies (77.7%). There was a significant increase in transaminase levels in two patients. They required no treatment for normalization.

CONCLUSION

Paracetamol is an effective option in closure PDA. It should be a first-line therapeutic option when there are contraindications for ibuprofen treatment. Transaminases must be checked during treatment.

Paracetamol in Patent Ductus Arteriosus Treatment: Efficacious and Safe?

In preterm infants, failure or delay in spontaneous closure of Ductus Arteriosus (DA), resulting in the condition of Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA), represents a significant issue. A prolonged situation of PDA can be associated with several short- and long-term complications. Despite years of researches and clinical experience on PDA management, unresolved questions about the treatment and heterogeneity of clinical practices in different centers still remain, in particular regarding timing and modality of intervention. Nowadays, the most reasonable strategy seems to be reserving the treatment only to hemodynamically significant PDA. The first-line therapy is medical, and ibuprofen, related to several side effects especially in terms of nephrotoxicity, is the drug of choice. Administration of oral or intravenous paracetamol (acetaminophen) recently gained attention, appearing effective as traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in PDA closure, with lower toxicity. The results of the studies analyzed in this review mostly support paracetamol efficacy in ductal closure, with inconstant low and transient elevation of liver enzymes as reported side effect. However, more studies are needed to confirm if this therapy shows a real safety profile and to evaluate its long-term outcomes, before considering paracetamol as first-choice drug in PDA treatment.