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Updated: May 11, 2026
Transcutaneous Microcirculatory Imaging in Preterm Neonates
Published on: December 31, 2015
Myocardial assessment using tissue doppler imaging in preterm very low-birth weight infants before and after red
M S Saleemi1, K Bruton, A El-Khuffash
1Department of Neonatology, Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. dr_shahid_saleemi@yahoo.com
Insights
Red blood cell transfusion significantly improves myocardial performance in anemic very low-birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants. Improved cardiac function, measured by myocardial velocities, correlated with anemia severity.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Cardiology
- Pediatric Hematology
- Echocardiography
Background:
- Anemia is common in very low-birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants.
- Anemia can negatively impact cardiac function in neonates.
- Assessing myocardial performance is crucial for managing VLBW infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of red blood cell transfusion on myocardial velocities in anemic VLBW preterm infants.
- To compare myocardial performance pre and post-transfusion.
- To investigate the relationship between anemia severity and cardiac function.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 48 VLBW preterm infants (age >2 weeks).
- Groups included transfused symptomatic infants (Hct <0.30) and asymptomatic controls.
- Tissue Doppler imaging echocardiography used to measure myocardial velocities before and after transfusion.
Main Results:
- Significant increase in left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic velocities post-transfusion (P<0.01).
- No significant changes in myocardial velocities in control groups.
- Percentage change in LV velocity correlated negatively with pre-transfusion hematocrit.
Conclusions:
- Red blood cell transfusion leads to significant improvement in myocardial performance in anemic VLBW infants.
- The degree of myocardial function improvement is related to the severity of anemia.
- Tissue Doppler imaging is a valuable tool for assessing cardiac function in this population.
Objective:
To investigate myocardial velocities in anemic very low-birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants, pre and post red blood cells transfusion using tissue Doppler imaging echocardiography.
Study Design:
Forty-eight VLBW preterm infants34 weeks and>2 weeks old were prospectively divided: Transfused symptomatic infants (Hematocrit (Hct)<0.30 (n=32)) and non transfused asymptomatic controls (control 1, Hct >0.30 (n=9) and control 2, Hct <0.30 (n=7)). Echocardiography was performed before and 3-5 days after transfusion in the transfused, and the controls were studied at similar intervals. Non parametric tests were used for statistical analysis.
Result:
Left ventricular (LV) systolic velocity increased (transfused (4.6±0.70 vs 6.0±0.65, P<0.01)) as did LV diastolic velocities (P<0.01) without significant difference over time in each control. The percentage change in LV velocity following transfusion correlated negatively (ρ=0.36) with pre transfusion Hct.
Conclusion:
There is a significant increase in myocardial performance following transfusion, which is related to the severity of the anemia.
