Early NT-proBNP levels as a screening tool for the detection of hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus during the first week of life in very low birth weight infants

Objectiveto assess whether early nt-probnp can identify the need for echocardiographic assessment of hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hspda) in preterm infants.study designprospective observational study of infants with a gestational age ≤32 weeks. echocardiographic assessment and nt-probnp measurement were performed at 48–96 h. roc curves were generated to assess optimal cutoffs to detect hspda and predict the need for treatment.resultseighty-five patients were included. hspda was present in 28 infants (37.6%), and 22 (25.8%) received treatment. the optimal nt-probnp cutoff for the detection of hspda was 5099 pg/ml (sensitivity 94%, specificity 82%, area under the curve 0.941, p < 0.001). only 1 child with nt-probnp levels <5099 pg/ml was ultimately treated for pda. nt-probnp screening could have avoided 45 of 85 routine echocardiograms (53%).conclusionnt-probnp screening at 48–96 h of life may identify preterm infants at low risk for hspda, improving pda management.