Morbidity and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 2 years in preterm infants undergoing percutaneous transcatheter closure vs. surgical ligation of the PDA

Review a cohort of preterm infants ≤29 weeks of gestation at birth and compare morbidities and neurodevelopmental outcomes based on PDA status and type of PDA closure.

Single center observational retrospective-prospective case control study of premature infants who had no hsPDA, underwent surgical ligation or percutaneous transcatheter closure of the PDA. Neurodevelopmental testing was done using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development 3rd ed.

The percutaneous transcatheter closure group had an older post menstrual age and greater weight at the time of procedure, and started enteral feeds and achieved room air status at an earlier post procedure day. Infants in the surgical ligation group were more likely to experience vocal cord paralysis. There was no difference in neurodevelopmental outcomes between groups.

Waiting for infants to achieve the appropriate size for percutaneous transcatheter closure of the PDA may lead to reduced short-term complications without increasing the risk of neurodevelopmental impairment.