Persistent ductus arteriosus

Persistent ductus arteriosus

Persistent ductus arteriosus (PDA) connects aorta with main pulmonary artery (MPA) (or left pulmonary artery – LPA) and during fetal life serves as important right-left shunt => mixed blood flowing from the pulmonary artery to the descendant aorta and supplying the lower half of the body. PDA prenatally remains open due to low partial pressure…

Congenital heart defects

Congenital heart defects

Critical congenital heart defects (CCHD) present during the neonatal period with cyanosis and/or cardiac failure depending on the particular defect and its severity. The incidence of the CCHD is approximately 1-3 : 1000. These defects can be diagnosed antenatally, however, anomaly scan detection rates vary significantly among different countries and also within the same country (e.g. 33-70% prenatal CCHD diagnosis in…

Hypotension

Hypotension

Hypotension and hemodynamic instability in the early postnatal period are common diagnoses within preterm population and has been associated with adverse short-term and long-term outcomes. There are a number of compensatory responses that occur to maintain perfusion and oxygen delivery to the most vital organs, which include peripheral vasoconstriction to maintain blood pressure (BP)….