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Effects of a clinically detectable PDA on pulmonary mechanics measures in VLBW infants with RDS
Author(s) -
Balsan Michael J.,
Jones Judith G.,
Guthrie Robert D.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
pediatric pulmonology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.866
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1099-0496
pISSN - 8755-6863
DOI - 10.1002/ppul.1950110214
Subject(s) - medicine , pediatrics , intensive care medicine
We examined the effect of a clinically detectable patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and its successful treatment with indomethacin on serial measures of pulmonary mechanics in 10 very‐low‐birthweight (VLBW) intubated infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Pulmonary mechanics were measured by the passive expiratory flow technique. Total respiratory system compliance (Crs) gradually improved as RDS resolved. However, a significant decrease in mean Crs was associated with the development of a clinically detectable PDA, ranging from 1.51 ± 0.21 to 0.90 ± 0.08 mL/cmH 2 O/m ( P < 0.05). We also noted an increase in mean Crs, from 0.90 ± 0.08 to 1.49 ± 0.21 mL/cmH 2 O/m ( P < 0.05), after successful treatment of a PDA with indomethacin. Total respiratory system resistance (Rrs) did not change. We conclude that a clinically significant PDA is associated with a decreased Crs and that successful treatment of a PDA with indomethacin is associated with an improvement in lung compliance. These findings imply that the development of a clinically detectable PDA and its subsequent treatment complicates the interpretation of pulmonary mechanics data in VLBW infants with RDS.