Despite significant advances in other areas of newborn care, little has changed in our approach to the management of preterm infants with low blood pressure in the first days of life. Recent surveys conducted in Europe, Canada and Australia have highlighted the continued reliance of clinicians on an approach characterized by targeting blood pressure (BP) values, in particular the mean arterial BP, as a surrogate of cardiovascular well-being. The reliance on BP as a surrogate of cardiovascular well-being remains problematic on a number of levels.
In this Research Topic we will provide further insight into the complexities involved in newborn cardiovascular assessment and management at the bedside. These state of the art reviews will explore the relationship between blood pressure and brain injury in preterm infants, assess the role of objective monitoring tools such as echocardiography, near infrared spectroscopy and EEG in determining the adequacy of circulatory well being. We will explore the use of inotropes, including an understanding of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic aspects of various inotrope/inodilators commonly used, and will also address aspects of drug delivery in preterm infants. The concept of multimodal monitoring systems, including mechanisms of data acquisition, analysis and integration as into individualized targeted therapy regimes will be explored.
Despite significant advances in other areas of newborn care, little has changed in our approach to the management of preterm infants with low blood pressure in the first days of life. Recent surveys conducted in Europe, Canada and Australia have highlighted the continued reliance of clinicians on an approach characterized by targeting blood pressure (BP) values, in particular the mean arterial BP, as a surrogate of cardiovascular well-being. The reliance on BP as a surrogate of cardiovascular well-being remains problematic on a number of levels.
In this Research Topic we will provide further insight into the complexities involved in newborn cardiovascular assessment and management at the bedside. These state of the art reviews will explore the relationship between blood pressure and brain injury in preterm infants, assess the role of objective monitoring tools such as echocardiography, near infrared spectroscopy and EEG in determining the adequacy of circulatory well being. We will explore the use of inotropes, including an understanding of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic aspects of various inotrope/inodilators commonly used, and will also address aspects of drug delivery in preterm infants. The concept of multimodal monitoring systems, including mechanisms of data acquisition, analysis and integration as into individualized targeted therapy regimes will be explored.
