Targeted Neonatal Echocardiography in the Management of Neonatal Pulmonary Hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) in neonates, originating from a range of disease states with heterogeneous underlying pathophysiology , is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Although the final common pathway is a state of high right ventricular afterload leading to compromised cardiac output, multiple hemodynamic phenotypes exist in acute and chronic PH , for which cardiorespiratory treatment strategies differ. Comprehensive appraisal of pulmonary pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance , cardiac function, pulmonary and systemic blood flow , and extrapulmonary shunts facilitates delivery of individualized cardiovascular therapies in affected newborns .