Aim: In this study, we investigated changes in newborns' cerebral and intestinal blood flow who had undergone aortic arch surgery.
Method: This study was carried out prospectively as a preliminary study in patients younger than 30 days at the time of aortic arch reconstruction between 1 August and 1 December, 2019. Cerebral and gastrointestinal hemodynamics were evaluated with Doppler USG before and 7 days after the operation. The middle cerebral artery (MCA) and celiac artery (CA) were used as measurement sites. Patients' peak systolic velocity (PSV), mean systolic velocity (MV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) were evaluated.
Results: A total of 16 patients enrolled in the study. The patients' median weight was 3.2 kg (2.7-4.5 kg), and age was 21 days (7-30 days). Six of them were female. Seven of the patients who underwent arcus reconstruction had an additional ventricular septal defect. The preoperative Doppler USG values of patients' were as follows: for MCA, the mean PSV was 37 ± 12 cm/s, EDV 12 ± 5 cm/s, MV 22 ± 19 cm/s, RI 0.70 ± 0.03, PI 1.24 ± 0.23, and for CA mean PSV was 67 ± 32 cm/s, EDV 29 ± 14 cm/s, MV 24 ± 9 cm/s, RI 0.79 ± 0.27, and PI 1.63 ± 0.89. Doppler USG values of patients' at the postoperative seventh day were as follows: for the MCA, mean PSV 41 ± 13 cm/s, EDV 13 ± 4 cm/s, MV 25 ± 10 cm/s, RI 0.64 ± 0.05, PI 1.23 ± 0.20, and for the CA mean PSV 70.5 ± 34 cm/s, EDV 32 ± 16 cm/s, MV 26 ± 8 cm/s, RI 0.75 ± 0.1, and PI 1.60 ± 0.38. There was a significant decrease in RI of both MCA and CA on the postoperative 7th day compared to the preoperative period (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: In newborns, there are significant changes in cerebral and intestinal blood flows after aortic arch surgery. RI decreased significantly, especially in the CA and MCA.
Keywords: Doppler USG; Newborn; aortic arch surgery; cerebral blood flow; intestinal blood flow.