RESPONSE OF DUCTUS ARTERIOSUS AND PULMONARY AND SYSTEMIC ARTERIAL PRESSURE TO CHANGES IN OXYGEN ENVIRONMENT IN NEWBORN INFANTS

1 June 1964

journal article
Published by American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in Pediatrics

Vol. 33 (6) , 937-944
https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.33.6.937

Abstract

Hemodynamic studies were performed through the umbilical arteries in 15 normal unanesthetized full-term newborn infants breathing air, 13% oxygen in nitrogen, and 100% oxygen. The investigation was aimed at studying the effect of changes in oxygen environment on shunts through the ductus arteriosus and on pressures in the pulmonic and systemic circuits. Left-to-right shunts disappeared with administration of 100% oxygen and recurred with 13% oxygen. This response was most pronounced during the first 3 hours but diminished noticeably or disappeared completely thereafter. During the first few hours there was a tendency for the ductus to reopen spontaneously after closure was effected with 100% oxygen. Hypoxia consistently caused a rise in pulmonary arterial pressure whereas inhalation of 100% oxygen caused a fall. The data support the concept that oxygen environment of the ductus arteriosus may be one of the factors which determines its closure.

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