Role of neonatologist-performed echocardiography in the assessment and management of patent ductus arteriosus physiology in the newborn

Abstract

Neonatologist-performed echocardiography (NPE) is an indispensable tool in the haemodynamic management of critically ill newborn infants. NPE is used to facilitate timely diagnosis of a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in preterm infants and to assess its haemodynamic significance. Before treatment is considered, it is obligatory to confirm structural cardiac normality. Importantly, NPE offers the ability to guide therapeutic interventions, allowing an individualised haemodynamic management approach to the PDA. After discussing PDA pathophysiology, an overview is provided on the role of NPE in the assessment and management of PDA in preterm infants.

Keywords: Haemodynamic significance; Neonatologist-performed echocardiography; Patent ductus arteriosus; Preterm infants.