The critically ill premature infant with patent ductus arteriosus and pulmonary disease-an echocardiographic assessment.

The effect of left-right shunting upon left ventricular and atrial dimensions was assessed by means of 129 serial echocardiographic studies in 37 premature infants with patent ductus arterisus. The cardiac dimensions of asymptomatic premature infants and those with pulmonary disease were similar and served as control subjects. Left cardiac dimensions were enlarged in infants with significant PDA. Dimensions were greatest in surgically treated infants (post-operatively they returned rapidly to normal) in contrast with the persistent enlargement observed in some medically treated infants. Serial echocardiography was a valuable adjunct to clinical assessment of the course of PDA in premature infants with pulmonary disease.