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Diastolic ventricular function improves during the first 48-hours-of-life in infants weighting <1250 g

J Sirc1, E M Dempsey, J Miletin

  • 1Department of Paediatric and Newborn Medicine, Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland; Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Institute for the Care of Mother and Child, Prague, Czech Republic; Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|August 29, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Diastolic ventricular function in preterm neonates (<1250 g) changes significantly in the first 48 hours. These early changes in cardiac function may indicate developing diastolic dysfunction during the transitional period.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal cardiology
  • Pediatric cardiovascular research
  • Perinatal medicine

Background:

  • Limited research exists on cardiac diastolic function in preterm neonates immediately post-birth.
  • Understanding early diastolic function is crucial for identifying potential complications in vulnerable infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess Doppler-derived diastolic ventricular function parameters in preterm infants (<1250 g) during the initial postnatal transitional period.
  • To investigate changes in diastolic function within the first 48 hours of life.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective observational study at Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, Dublin.
  • Measured mitral/tricuspid valve flow, isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT), ventricular output, and superior vena cava flow in 22 preterm infants (<1250 g).
  • Data collected at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours of age.

Main Results:

  • Left ventricle early filling peak velocity increased significantly (30.3 to 39.5 cm/sec).
  • Right ventricle early filling peak velocity increased significantly (26.6 to 32.1 cm/sec).
  • Right ventricle IVRT decreased significantly (70 to 57 ms); left ventricle IVRT showed a nonsignificant decrease (61.6 to 54 ms).

Conclusions:

  • Diastolic ventricular function parameters exhibit significant changes within the first 48 hours of life in preterm infants (<1250 g).
  • Observed alterations suggest potential early diastolic dysfunction during the critical transitional period.
  • Further research is warranted to understand the long-term implications of these findings.
Abstract

Keywords:
Diastolic functionFunctional echocardiographyHaemodynamic adaptationPreterm neonateVery low birth weight

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