Comparison of ‘post-patent ductus arteriosus ligation syndrome’ in premature infants after surgical ligation vs. percutaneous closure

Objective To compare the incidence of post-PDA ligation syndrome after surgical vs. percutaneous closure of PDAs in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. Study design Cohort study comparing 59 infants who underwent surgical ligation with 25 infants who underwent percutaneous closure. Comparisons between groups were made using two-sample t -tests and a Fisher’s exact test. Comparisons of pre vs. post variables within each group were made using paired t -tests. Results Patients who underwent surgical ligation had a higher need for initiation of post-procedure hemodynamic support (12/59 vs. 0/24, p = 0.016), a higher post-procedure peak FiO 2 (0.64 vs. 0.43, p = 0.004), and a larger absolute change in peak FiO 2 (0.23 vs. 0.09, p = 0.008). Conclusion VLBW infants who had percutaneous closure of their PDA did not experience post ligation syndrome and had less escalation of respiratory support compared with infants who underwent surgical ligation.