Predictive value of serum NT-proBNP concentrations for assessment hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus in very preterm infants

Hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a common complication in very preterm infants born at less than 32 weeks of gestation. At the same time, currently, there are no uniform criteria to identify the actual hemodynamic significance of PDA and generally accepted management approaches to such infants. Purpose — to assess the predictive value of serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels for hemodynamically significant PDA in very preterm infants. Materials and methods. Fifty-two preterm infants with gestational age <32 weeks, chronological age <72 h, and PDA diameter >1.5 mm were involved in a randomized study. Twenty-seven (52%) of them were treated with ibuprofen or paracetamol starting within the first 3 days of life. Expectant management was applied to 25 (48%) infants. All patients underwent daily echocardiographic and two serum NT-proBNP measurements within the first 10 days after birth. According to the results of echocardiographic and clinical monitoring, 2 groups of patients were formed retrospectively. In 22 (42%) of them hemodynamically significant PDA (hsPDA) was diagnosed, and 30 (58%) had hemodynamically insignificant ductus arteriosus. Results. The percentage of infants who received pharmacological PDA treatment was not significantly different between the groups (p>0.05). Serum NT-proBNP concentrations at the median age of 2 and 8 days were significantly higher in infants with hsPDA (p<0.01). By the eighth day of life, the NT-proBNP level in both groups significantly decreased but remained considerably higher in newborns with hsPDA. Serum NT-proBNP concentrations on the second-third day of life could reliably predict hsPDA (AUC=0.93; 95% confidence interval: 0.86–1.0; p<0.05). Conclusions. Serum NT-proBNP concentrations on the second day of life >12000 pg/ml could reliably predict hsPDA. The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. The study protocol was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of these Institutes. The informed consent of the patient was obtained for conducting the studies. No conflict of interest was declared by the authors.