“Shunt index” can be used to predict clinically significant patent ductus arteriosus in premature neonates in early post-natal life

Abstract

We found that the shunt index, calculated in the first hours of life as ≥63%, predicted haemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus with a sensitivity of 78% and specificity of 82% in preterm newborns.

Inferior Vena Cava Oxygen Saturation during the First Three Postnatal Days in Preterm Newborns with and without Patent Ductus Arteriosus

“…To confirm this, the shunt index was calculated using SaO 2 and Svo 2 . A portion of this study was also about a shunt index in the early hours of postnatal life, which we have shown predicts haemodynamically significant PDA (17). The converging levels of venous oxygen in the two groups in the 36 th hour samples might be due to ductal closure, as a response to treatment started as soon as diagnosis of PDA was established.…”