Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) occurs in approximately 1.9 per 1000 newborns and may be more frequent in developing countries. There is strong evidence for the use of inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) and extra corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in the treatment of PPHN. However, many developing countries do not have access or the technical expertise required for these expensive therapies. Magnesium sulfate is a potent vasodilator and hence has the potential to reduce the high pulmonary arterial pressures associated with PPHN. If magnesium sulfate were found to be effective in the treatment of PPHN, this could be a cost effective and potentially life-saving therapy.
Abnormal muscularization of acinar arteries is the hallmark of persistent pulmonary hypertension of newborn (PPHN), an uncommon disease with high rate of morbidity and mortality. PPHN presents with signs of respiratory distress immediately following birth. We herein report 2 cases presenting as a witnessed sudden unexpected death in the late neonatal period, preceded by respiratory deterioration and in whom the presence of abnormal muscularization of the acinar pulmonary arteries was reminiscent of PPHN. The significance of this report is twofold: to increase the awareness among pediatricians and pathologists of this feature that can present in some cases of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy/Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, and to highlight the importance of performing a thorough autopsy in order to identify the abnormality.
We report a case of transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus using the new Amplatzer duct occluder II in an adult patient with interrupted inferior vena cava with azygous continuation via the femoral artery approach.
We report our experience with a stent migration after right ventricle outflow tract stenting and converted to patent ductus arteriosus stenting in Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) with severe infundibular stenosis. Finally, the patient achieved to TOF repair, and the migrated stent was removed without any complication.
Developmental disabilities have been reported in infants with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) treated with inhaled nitric oxide (INO) or intravenous magnesium sulphate (MgSO(4)) and/or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. This paper reports the rate of developmental disabilities at 2 years of age in a cohort of survivors of PPHN treated with INO, MgSO(4), or both during the neonatal period.
The aim of this study was to compare the response and survival rates of term infants with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) on high frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) treated with either inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) or intravenous magnesium sulphate (MgSO4).