Normal values for superior vena cava flow in preterm neonates using a new echocardiographic approach

Recently, a novel approach to imaging Superior Vena Cava (SVC) flow has been presented, showing better repeatability and better agreement with MRI-derived SVC flow measures. The objective was to establish normal values of SVC flow with the novel approach in the first 48 h of life.

This was a prospective, observational study. All infants with gestational age (GA) less than 31 weeks were eligible. Echocardiographic evaluation was performed at 5, 12, 24, 48 h of postnatal life. A subgroup of uncomplicated infants was studied to define a normal range for SVC flow.

Forty-five infants were enrolled. We estimated normative values in a subgroup of 31 uncomplicated infants. The median SVC flow significantly increases from 83 ml/kg/min at 5 h of life to 153 ml/kg/min at 48 h (p < .001).

Using the novel approach we derived normal values of SVC flow in a cohort of uncomplicated preterm population at high risk for developing IVH.