Patent ductus arteriosus in premature infants.

An analysis of the course and complications in the ligation of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in 30 very low birth-weight preterm neonates was carried out. The mean gestational stage at birth was 26.97 weeks, and median weight was 811 gm. Attempted closures of the ductus with indomethacin in 19 infants failed, although there was temporary closure in nine. Congestive heart failure was present in 29 and respiratory distress syndrome in 22 patients. Endotracheal intubation with ventilation assistance was necessary in the entire series. The mean age at operation was 13.5 days, and ductal ligation was performed in the intensive care unit under local anesthesia, supplemented with pancuronium and pethidine. There were no intraoperative deaths, but five infants died during their hospitalization from unremittent respiratory distress syndrome. There were seven additional late deaths. Eighteen survivors were followed for a mean of 26.5 months. Early ligation of PDA in very low birth-weight prematures improved the cardiorespiratory status, and long-term follow-up revealed good clinical progress in two-thirds of the surviving group.