Arterial pressure is not reflective of right ventricular function in neonates with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy treated with therapeutic hypothermia

Abstract

Aim: to evaluate the correlation of recovery of arterial pressure with physiological recovery among patients with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy undergoing therapeutic hypothermia. Methods: At 24 h postnatal age, we compared 53 neonates of whom 22 (41%) were inotrope-treated to those untreated with cardiovascular medications. Results: Inotrope-treated patients had persistent severe right ventricular (RV) dysfunction and evidence of abnormal brain tissue oxygen delivery, despite recovered arterial pressure. Conclusion: Arterial pressure is not reflective of RV function and the need for inotropic agents may be reflective of abnormal brain tissue oxygen delivery.