Ligation of patent ductus arteriosus in very low birth weight premature infants

Abstract

Background: Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is frequently encountered in premature infants. Optimal management of PDA remains undefined. We aim to assess the national trend for PDA ligation over 18 years and evaluate mortality and associated morbidities.

Methods: We used data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) and KID of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) from 1998 to 2015. All infants with gestational age 24-32 weeks and birth weight <1500 g were included. Patients with PDA were classified into two groups: those who did and did not receive surgical ligation. Associated mortality and morbidities were compared.

Results: A total of 429,900 neonatal admissions were identified. Of them, 149,473 (34.8%) infants had PDA. PDA-ligated infants were 27,364 (6.4%). PDA ligation was more likely in those with smaller gestational age and with birth weight <1000 g. A steady decline in PDA ligation was noticed since 2004. The mortality rate in PDA-ligated infants was less than in PDA-non-ligated infants (7.5% vs. 8.9%; OR = 0.82; 95% CI: 0.78-0.86; p < 0.001). However, the prevalence rates of pulmonary hemorrhage and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) were greater in PDA-ligated infants (OR = 1.58; 95% CI: 1.49-1.67; p < 0.001, and OR = 1.32; 95% CI: 1.26-1.38; p < 0.001, respectively).

Conclusions: Ligation of PDA has been steadily declining since 2004. Despite higher morbidities, PDA-ligated infants had less mortality.

Keywords: PDA ligation; mortality; necrotizing enterocolitis; preterm neonates.