Association of Patent Ductus Arteriosus with extubation failure among
preterm infants
Abstract
Backround: Mechanical ventilation is associated with
mortality/morbidities in preterm infants. Nearly a third of these
infants fail extubation and this may increase morbidities.
Objective: To evaluate the association of symptomatic patent
ductus arteriosus with failure of extubation among preterm infants.
Methods: This was a retrospective study on preterm infants
(birth weight <1,250 grams and gestational age ≥23weeks) born
between January 2009 and December 2016, who were mechanically ventilated
and extubated within the first 60 days of age. Results: 360
infants were evaluated, of these, 26% failed and 74% succeeded the
initial extubation attempt. On adjusted analysis, symptomatic ductus was
associated with an increased risk of extubation failure.
Conclusion(s): Presence of symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus
was associated with extubation failure. Further investigations are
needed to establish whether screening for presence of ductus and
treatment of the same, prior to extubation among these infants, improves
chances of successful extubation and cardiorespiratory outcomes.