Postnatal changes in the pulmonary circulation at 3700-4000 m
Fecha
2002-04-18Autor
Niermeyer, Susan
Andrade, Patricio
Moore, Lorna G
Metadatos
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Objective: The hypoxia of high altitude can impair
postnatal changes in the pulmonary circulation. We documented pulmonary artery pressures (PPA) and persistence of fetal circulatory patterns among infants born at
3700–4000m in La Paz, Bolivia. Methods: Echocardiography was performed at 2 weeks, 1, 3, and 6 months on 16
infants. PPA was estimated using pulmonary valve systolic intervals in the regression equation of Wan-zhen.
Persistence of the foramen ovale (PFO) and ductus arteriosus (PDA) was noted. Results: Twelve of 14 term infants had a PFO diagnosed in the first 3 months. Half of
these persisted at 3 months. PPA was elevated in the first
3 months and at 6 months approached values considered
normal during childhood at 3700m. Two premature infants experienced clinical pulmonary hypertension, one
acutely after birth and one subacutely (3 months). Conclusion: Postnatal changes in the pulmonary circulation
occur slowly at high altitude, with greater vulnerability
to incomplete or disrupted transition