Can a clinical decision rule help ductus arteriosus management in preterm neonates?

Aim: Patent ductus arteriosus (DA) occurs frequently in premature neonates with respiratory distress syndrome. We assessed a combination of clinical, biological and echocardiographic parameters to derive a decision rule for selecting candidates for treatment based on the criteria in use in our unit.

Methods: Hundred and forty neonates with a mean (SD) gestational age of 28 (2.3) weeks and a mean birth weight of 1159 (386) g, all requiring invasive ventilation with FiO(2) > 0.3 or catecholamines for severe hypotension, were assessed prospectively using echocardiography in conjunction with N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NTpBNP) levels within 24-72 h of birth. Independent predictors of DA treatment were identified with univariate analysis and combined in a clinical decision rule.

Results: Early treatment of significant DA was adopted for 26 (18.6%) neonates. A clinical decision rule suggesting treatment in patients with NTpBNP > 8500 pg/mL, ductal diameter >1.5 mm and, for infants with a birth weight > 830 g, left pulmonary artery end-diastolic velocity >0.20 m/sec showed 88% sensitivity and 94% specificity.

Conclusions: A decision rule using realistic and/or commonly used parameters for significant patent ductus arteriosus assessment could be derived. External validation of this rule is needed before any application.