Changes of Plasma Brain Natriuretic Peptide According to the Changes of Ductal Shunt in Healthy Preterm Infants

Lee, Jee Yeon; Seo, Won Hee; Choi, Byung Min; Lee, Kee Hyoung; Eun, Baik Lin; Yoo, Kee Hwan; Hong, Young Sook; Son, Chang Sung; Lee, Joo Won; Tockgo, Young Chang

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to clarify the effect of hemodynamic changes of ductal shunt on brain natriuretic peptide(BNP) secretion and to investigate the value of plasma BNP level as a predictor of spontaneous closure of ductus arteriosus(DA) in healthy preterm infants.
METHODS
24 preterm infants were enrolled. Echocardiographic examinations and blood samplings of BNP were carried out in 24 hours, 72 hours and on 5th days after birth. The magnitudes of ductal shunts were estimated using ductal color Doppler flow pattern, left atrial/aortic root ratio(LA/Ao ratio) and antegrade peak diastolic flow velocity(APDFV) in left pulmonary artery.
RESULTS
DA in healthy preterm infants were closed spontaneously within 5 days of birth. Plasma BNP levels in infants with ductal shunt were higher than that of infants without shunt in 24 hours and then significantly decreased within 72 hours of birth according to the decreases of flow in ductal shunts. BNP levels of all infants with ductal shunt were significantly correlated with LA/Ao ratio and APDFV.
CONCLUSION
Reduction of BNP levels may serve as an indicator of spontaneous closure of DA in healthy preterm infants. Its levels show significant correlations with the magnitudes of ductal shunt. Therefore BNP levels may be used in determining the necessity of and the optimal time to initiating medical and surgical management of preterm infants with significant PDA.