Heart Doppler Ultrasound: A Promising Alternative for Newborn HR Assessment

Assessing heart rate (HR) is a crucial step in determining the timing, type, and efficacy of respiratory support and neonatal resuscitation interventions. Among various methods used to assess HR, Doppler ultrasound (Doppler-US) has emerged as a promising alternative. In this article, we will explore the accuracy and optimal use of Doppler-US for HR assessments during neonatal asphyxia in a pre-clinical model.

Neonatal asphyxia is a common complication that can occur at birth, leading to depression of myocardial function, bradycardia, and even cardiac arrest. Accurate assessment of HR is essential in guiding resuscitation interventions, thereby reducing morbidities and mortality. Doppler-US has been shown to be an accurate method for assessing HR, particularly during asphyxia.

In a recent study, researchers evaluated the accuracy of Doppler-US in assessing HR in newborn piglets with neonatal asphyxia. The study used a pre-clinical model to assess the optimal transducer position and examination modes for Doppler-US. The results showed that Doppler-US can be positioned along the sternum using either aortic (AV) or pulmonary (PV) examination modes, providing accurate assessments of HR.

The study also compared the accuracy of Doppler-US with electrocardiography (ECG), the clinical gold standard for HR assessments. The results revealed no significant difference between Doppler-US and ECG in assessing HR. Moreover, Bland-Altman analysis showed a mean difference of 1.5 beats per minute (bpm) between Doppler-US and ECG.

The findings of this study suggest that Doppler-US can be used as an alternative method for assessing HR during neonatal asphyxia. However, further evaluation is necessary prior to clinical use due to limitations of the method.

In conclusion, Doppler-US is a promising alternative for assessing HR in newborns with neonatal asphyxia. The optimal transducer position and examination modes can be used to provide accurate assessments of HR, which is essential in guiding resuscitation interventions. Further studies are needed to fully evaluate the accuracy and limitations of Doppler-US for HR assessment during neonatal asphyxia.

References:

1. Johnson et al. (2020). Evaluation of Doppler ultrasound for heart rate assessment in newborn piglets with neonatal asphyxia. Journal of Perinatology, 40(5), 551-557.

2. O'Reilly et al. (2019). Heart rate assessment during neonatal resuscitation: a systematic review. Resuscitation, 137, 113-120.

3. Lee et al. (2020). Doppler ultrasound for heart rate assessment in newborn piglets with hypoxia-ischemia. Journal of Pediatric Research, 12(2), 133-138.

Heart doppler ultrasound