Over the last decade, advancements in targeted neonatal echocardiography (TNE) and neonatal cardiac care have transformed how clinicians assess circulatory function in preterm infants. Recognizing the challenges associated with this assessment, neonatologists have increasingly integrated bedside echocardiography into neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). At Phoenix Children's, TNE enables clinicians to quickly evaluate the hemodynamic status and cardiac function of neonates.

Impact of Targeted Neonatal Eechocardiography

The implementation of TNE in NICUs has proven crucial for expediting the diagnosis and management of critical conditions. Remarkably, nearly 40% of infants evaluated by the hemodynamic team have had their cardiac management strategies adjusted, with this figure soaring to over 80% for life-threatening issues such as systemic hypotension and pulmonary hypertension.

Conditions Treated

The neonatal hemodynamics program addresses a range of conditions, including:

  • Hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
  • Acute and chronic pulmonary hypertension
  • Left and right ventricular systolic and diastolic function analysis.
  • Screening for pericardial effusions and malpositioned central lines
  • Heart dysfunction
  • Shock and acute hypotension
  • Systemic hypertension
  • Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH)

Benefits

TNE not only aids in managing pharmacologic treatments and stabilizing infants post- delivery but also provides critical insights into the severity of pulmonary vascular disease and mortality risk. Research from our Hemodynamics team indicates that the introduction of hemodynamic screening as a standard of care has led to improved survival rates and a reduction in major complications such as brain hemorrhages, necrotizing enterocolitis, and severe lung disease (BPD).