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A review of superior vena cava flow measurement in the neonate by functional echocardiography
Author(s) -
McGovern Matthew,
Miletin Jan
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
acta paediatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/apa.13584
Subject(s) - medicine , inferior vena cava , superior vena cava , perfusion , radiology , intensive care medicine , cardiology , population , circulatory system , clinical decision making , vena cava , environmental health
Abstract Neonatologists have begun using superior vena cava flow as assessed by functional echocardiography to facilitate real‐time decision‐making on cardiovascular care. This review aims to describe the basis of the technique, summarise the evidence for its use and compare the technique to existing clinical, biochemical and radiological techniques for assessing neonatal circulatory status. Conclusion Although echocardiographic measurements of superior vena cava flow, like other measures of perfusion, are not perfect, their noninvasive nature and ability to facilitate real‐time decision‐making means that at present, they remain the best available methodology of monitoring central perfusion in the neonatal population.