Utility of Low Dose Vasopressin for Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of Newborn with Catecholamine Refractory Shock.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of low dose vasopressin on the hemodynamics of neonates with persistent pulmonary hypertension and catecholamine refractory shock.

Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in a level III NICU of a tertiary care teaching hospital, south India. Eighteen neonates with hypoxemic respiratory failure due to persistent pulmonary hypertension of newborn with catecholamine refractory shock were studied. Neonates were managed for hypotension with conventional inotropic support with the additional use of low dose vasopressin (LDV). Effect of vasopressin on oxygenation index (OI), blood pressure, duration of inotropic usage and survival was evaluated.

Results: Mean OI was 38.2 ± 4.9, and mean blood pressure was 30.7 ± 5.3 mmHg before the start of vasopressin. Initiation of LDV (0.0003 ± 0.0001 IU/kg/min) for a median duration 36.4 ± 17.9 h was followed by a reduction in OI (p < 0.001), control of hypotension (p < 0.001), reduction in lactic acidosis (p < 0.001) and decline in inotropic support.

Conclusions: In resource-restricted settings, LDV may be useful as a rescue therapy for persistent pulmonary hypertension of newborn with catecholamine refractory shock.