Introduction: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is characterized by lung injury with varying degrees of disrupted alveolarization, vascular remodeling, inflammatory cell proliferation, and pulmonary edema. Diuretics are often used to ameliorate the symptoms or progression of BPD. Our primary objective was to use lung ultrasound (LUS) to determine if diuretics decrease pulmonary edema in infants with BPD. The secondary objective was to assess changes in respiratory support during the first week after initiation of diuretics. Methods: Premature infants requiring non-invasive respiratory support and starting diuretic therapy for evolving BPD were compared with a similar group of infants not receiving diuretics (control). For the diuretic group, LUS exams were performed before and on days 1, 3 and 6 after initiation of treatment. For the control group, LUS was performed at equivalent time points. A composite pulmonary edema severity (PES) score of 0 to 5 was calculated based on the total number of B-lines in 6 scanned areas. Respiratory support parameters (FiO2, nasal cannula flow or CPAP) were also recorded. Results: Infants in the diuretic (n=28) and control (n=23) groups were recruited at median corrected gestational ages of 34.2 (33.3-35.9) and 34.0 (33.4-36.3) weeks, respectively ( p=0.82). PES scores, FiO2, and respiratory flow support decreased significantly from day 0 to 6 ( p<.0001, p=0.001, and p=0.01, respectively) in the diuretic group, but not in the control group. Conclusion: Diuretic use is associated with decreased pulmonary edema and improved oxygenation in infants with BPD during the first week of treatment.

Abstract Continuous intravenous (IV) sildenafil may avoid the acute systemic vasodilatory effects of bolus dosing in infants with pulmonary hypertension (PH). We aimed to examine the tolerability of different methods of IV sildenafil administration. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated subjects less than 12 months old with PH, who had been started on IV sildenafil. Vital signs, oxygen requirement, and vasoactive-inotropic score (VIS) before and after sildenafil initiation were noted, as was the need for discontinuation due to side effects. Results: Forty-three subjects were identified (23 continuous, 20 intermittent dosing). There were no statistically significant differences between groups in gender or gestational age, but higher baseline inspired oxygen (FiO2) and VIS in the continuous group suggested a higher baseline severity of illness (p=0.012). After sildenafil initiation, there were no significant differences in the change in blood pressure, oxygen saturation, FiO2, or VIS between groups, and no difference in the number of subjects requiring discontinuation due to side effects (4 in the continuous group, 1 intermittent, p=0.35). Eight subjects (34.8%) in the continuous group and 3 (15%) in the intermittent group died (p=0.024). Conclusions: In this small cohort of infants with PH treated with continuous or intermittent IV sildenafil, there were no statistically significant differences between groups in the change in vital signs, VIS, and oxygen requirement, or the need for discontinuation of therapy due to side effects. A higher mortality rate in the continuous infusion group may be explained by higher baseline illness severity.