Use of Targeted Neonatal Echocardiography to Prevent Postoperative Cardiorespiratory Instability after Patent Ductus Arteriosus Ligation

Objectives To investigate the value of targeted neonatal echocardiography (TnECHO) in predicting cardiorespiratory instability after patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) ligation, and to evaluate the impact of TnECHO-directed care. Study design We reviewed serial echocardiography evaluations of 62 preterm infants after PDA ligation to investigate the relationship between indices of myocardial performance and postoperative cardiorespiratory instability. A predictive model was developed based on TnECHO criteria, with targeted initiation of intravenous milrinone. A comparative evaluation was performed between matched infants in the previous era (epoch 1; n = 25) and current era (epoch 2; n = 27) of TnECHO-guided treatment. Results Left ventricular output