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Updated: Jun 28, 2026
Hemodynamic Precision in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit using Targeted Neonatal Echocardiography
Published on: January 27, 2023
Patent ductus arteriosus--neonatal intensive care unit registry
Helena Andrade1, Carla Loureiro, Joaquim Tiago
1Serviço de Neonatologia e Unidade de Cardiologia Pediátrica dos Hospitals da Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal. helenacarvalho@huc.min-saude.pt
Objectives:
This study took place at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the Dr Daniel de Matos Maternity Hospital and evaluated the incidence of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), the clinical evolution of the newborns affected, the treatment prescribed, and associated morbidity and mortality.
Methods:
We carried out a retrospective medical chart review of newborns admitted to the NICU between January 2001 and December 2005.
Results:
PDA was found in 69 newborns. Median gestational age (GA) was 28 weeks and birth weight (BW) 1100 grams. The diagnosis of PDA was established, on average, between the fifth and sixth day of life. Of the 53 newborns with criteria for closure, 49 had indomethacin therapy, with a success rate of 88%; surgical ligation was subsequently necessary in six of these. Thirty-eight newborns presented associated comorbidities, and eight died.
Conclusions:
The results obtained in this study are in agreement with the literature. In cases with GA of less than 30 weeks and/or BW below 1500g, the need for treatment for PDA closure is greater than in cases with higher GA/BW, and a more aggressive approach is required, with presymptomatic prolonged indomethacin. The results obtained in this work led us to conclude that echocardiography should be performed to screen for PDA in all newborns of less than 30 weeks or with BW below 1500g. We intend in the near future to answer a question that emerged from this study: will earlier diagnosis lead to improved outcomes?
