Inotropes for Preterm Infants: 50 Years on Are We Any Wiser?

ABSTRACT: For almost half a century, inotropes have been administered to preterm infants with the ultimate goal of increasing their blood pressure. A number of trials, the majority of which focused on dopamine administration, have demonstrated increased blood pressure following inotrope administration in preterm infants and have led to continued use of inotropes in our neonatal units. We have also seen an increase in the number of potential agents available to the clinician. However, we now know that hypotension is a much broader concept than blood pressure alone, and our aim should instead be focused on improving end organ perfusion, specifically cerebral perfusion. Only a limited number of studies have incorporated the organ-relevant hemodynamic changes and long-term outcomes when assessing inotro

SUBMITTER: Garvey AA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5898425 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature