The effects of nasal continuous positive airway pressure on cardiac function in premature infants with minimal lung disease: A crossover randomized trial

Abstract

Objective To assess the effects of different nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) pressures on cardiac performance in preterm infants with minimal lung disease, we conducted a randomized, blinded crossover study. Study design We studied infants between 28 and 34 weeks' corrected gestational age, treated with nCPAP of 5 cm H2O, in air. Infants with significant cardiac shunts were excluded. Infants were randomly assigned to nCPAP levels of 4, 6, and 8 cm H2O for 15 minutes each. Right and left ventricular outputs and left pulmonary artery and superior vena cava flows were measured 15 minutes after each change. Results Thirty-four infants born at a mean gestational age of 29 weeks ..