Early NT-proBNP levels as a screening tool for the detection of hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus during the first week of life in very low birth weight infants.

Objective: To assess whether early NT-ProBNP can identify the need for echocardiographic assessment of hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (HsPDA) in preterm infants. Study

Design: Prospective observational study of infants with a gestational age ≤32 weeks. Echocardiographic assessment and NT-proBNP measurement were performed at 48-96 h. ROC curves were generated to assess optimal cutoffs to detect HsPDA and predict the need for treatment.

Results: Eighty-five patients were included. HsPDA was present in 28 infants (37.6%), and 22 (25.8%) received treatment. The optimal NT-proBNP cutoff for the detection of HsPDA was 5099 pg/mL (sensitivity 94%, specificity 82%, area under the curve 0.941, P < 0.001). Only 1 child with NT-proBNP levels <5099 pg/mL was ultimately treated for PDA. NT-proBNP screening could have avoided 45 of 85 routine echocardiograms (53%).

Conclusion: NT-proBNP screening at 48-96 h of life may identify preterm infants at low risk for HsPDA, improving PDA management.