Stenting of patent ductus arteriosus in low birth weight newborns less than 2kg- procedural safety, feasibility and results in a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: Retrospective analysis of the feasibility, safety and results of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) stenting in low birth weight babies weighing < 2kg.

BACKGROUND: Stenting of patent ductus arteriosus is a well known palliative technique for several years as an alternative to shunt surgery in babies weighing > 2.5-3kg. Ductal stenting in babies weighing less than 2kg is not done routinely all around the world due to limited experience and concerns regarding its feasibility and safety in such small subset.

METHODS: Records of patients who underwent PDA stenting at our institution from June 2014 to December 2016 were reviewed. In this period, we attempted to do PDA stenting using femoral artery approach in babies weighing < 2kg. Echocardiography and colour Doppler were used for patient selection and assessment of procedural outcome.

RESULTS: PDA stenting using femoral artery approach was successful in all 5 patients weighing < 2kg. In this group, patient age ranged from 2 days to 16 days and weighed 1.8kg to 1.97kg. All patients had good post-procedure outcome. One patient had stent malposition from aortic end towards main pulmonary artery which was managed by an additional stent.

CONCLUSION: PDA stenting is feasible and safe with good end results in carefully selected low birth weight babies weighing < 2kg.