Early Lung Function Testing in Infants with Aortic Arch Anomalies Identifies Patients at Risk for Airway Obstruction
2011

Lung Function Testing in Infants with Aortic Arch Anomalies

Sample size: 17 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Roehr Charles Christoph, Wilitzki Silke, Opgen-Rhein Bernd, Kalache Karim, Proquitté Hans, Bührer Christoph, Schmalisch Gerd

Primary Institution: Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin

Hypothesis

Lung function testing in the neonatal period allows the identification and monitoring of patients with aortic arch anomalies.

Conclusion

Both infants with right-sided and double-sided aortic arch anomalies are at risk for airway obstruction, and early lung function testing helps to identify and monitor these infants.

Supporting Evidence

  • Infants with double-sided aortic arch anomalies had significantly more expiratory flow limitations compared to those with right-sided anomalies.
  • 24% of infants were near or below the 10th percentile of V′maxFRC, indicating a high risk for airway obstruction.
  • The study is the largest aggregation of early, pre-surgical lung function testing of infants with aortic arch anomalies.

Takeaway

Doctors can check how well babies breathe to see if they might have problems with their airways because of heart issues.

Methodology

The study involved neonatal lung function testing on 17 infants with aortic arch anomalies, measuring various lung function parameters.

Potential Biases

The study may have bias due to the retrospective nature and the limited number of measurements available for subgroup comparisons.

Limitations

The small sample size limits statistical power and increases the risk of type II error.

Participant Demographics

17 infants with aortic arch anomalies (10 with right-sided and 7 with double-sided anomalies).

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0024903

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