Patent Ductus Arteriosus and the Effects of Its Late Closure in Preterm Infants with Severe Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Background: The natural history and optimal management of a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) among infants with established severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (sBPD) remains uncertain. Objectives: To describe the characteristics of PDA present at >= 36 weeks' postmenstrual age (PMA) and the effects of late surgical PDA closure in a referral cohort of very preterm infants with sBPD. Study Design: This retrospective cohort study was performed in a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit. Study infants were born at 36 weeks' PMA. We reviewed echocardiograms performed closest to 3 time points (>= 36 weeks' PMA, hospital discharge, and 1 year of age) and assessed clinical outcomes among infants with versus without late PDA treatment. Results: Among 329 infants with sBPD, 59 had a PDA at >= 36 weeks' PMA. Most PDAs were small (n = 33) and shunted left to right (n = 53). The PDA closed spontaneously prior to discharge in 5 of 21 infants who did not undergo surgical closure and decreased in size in 3. The PDA spontaneously closed by 1 year of age in 6 out of 12 infants with an open duct at discharge. PDA surgery (n = 23) at >= 36 weeks' PMA was not associated with increased risk for the composite outcome of tracheostomy, systemic vasodilator at discharge, or death after adjusting for potential confounders (OR 3.2, 95% CI 0.81-13.0). Conclusions: The majority of conservatively treated late PDAs closed spontaneously or decreased in size.PDA surgery was not associated with severe adverse clinical outcomes.