Evaluation of Haemodynamic in Neonates Treated With Hypothermia"

Plain-language summary

Perinatal hypoxia in the form of hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a frequent cause of cerebral impairment in neonates. HIE occurs in 3 to 5 of 1000 neonates in developed countries and is significantly higher in developing countries at 25 of 1000 neonates. Despite developments in medicine, increasing understanding of HIE pathophysiology and progress in neonatal intensive care as well as treatment of moderate or severe perinatal asphyxia, HIE continues to be associated with significant mortality and late neurological sequelae. Episodes of ischaemia-hypoxia in the perinatal period as well as the changes in the redistribution of blood may lead to decreased perfusion and ischaemia of the cardiac muscle. Additionally, there is a negative impact from the reduced contractility of the cardiac muscle secondary to acidosis and hypoxia. Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) improves the late effects in moderate and severe cases of hypoxia-ischaemia encephalopathy (HIE). The direct impact of TH on the cardiovascular system includes moderate bradycardia, increased pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), inferior filling of the left ventricle (LV) and LV stroke volume. The above-mentioned consequences of TH and episodes of HI in the perinatal period are therefore exacerbation of respiratory and circulatory failure. The impact of the warming phase on the cardiovascular system is not well researched and currently few data has been published on this topic. Physiologically, warming increases heart rate, improves cardiac output and increases systemic pressure. The effect of TH and the warming phase on the cardiovascular values has a decisive impact on the metabolism of drugs, including vasopressors / inotropics, which in turn affects the choice of medication and fluid therapy

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