Management of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants: An evidence-based approach

A patent ductus arteriosus, very common in the preterm infant (incidence up to 70% in infants less than 28 weeks gestational age), causes a left-to-right shunt leading to overload of the pulmonary circulation and low systemic blood flow. These hemodynamic anomalies are associated with a higher incidence of respiratory, neurological, and digestive complications of prematurity, as well as a higher mortality rate. Although growing knowledge about the natural history, the pathophysiology, and the mechanisms of closure of the ductus arteriosus has resulted in therapeutic progress, management of the patent ductus arteriosus in the preterm infant is still a subject of intense controversy. We describe here the different treatment modalities, their benefits and side effects, and the therapeutic strategies that have been tested in the last four decades. Based on this evidence, the current trend is a personalized approach to the patent ductus arteriosus, adapted to each preterm infant's individual characteristics and risk factors. (C) 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.