Objective: To compare early pulmonary function tests (PFTs) in neonates with critical congenital heart disease (CHD) compared to a historical reference group.
Design: Infants > 37 weeks gestation with critical CHD were studied within the first few days of life and prior to cardiac surgery and compared to data from a published reference group. Passive respiratory resistance (Rrs) and compliance (Crs) were measured with the single breath occlusion technique following specific acceptance criteria. The study was powered for a 30% difference in Rrs.
Results: PFTs in 24 infants with CHD were compared to 31 historical reference infants. There was no difference in the Rrs between the groups. The infants with CHD had a significantly decreased Crs (1.02 ± 0.26 mL/cmH2O/kg versus 1.32 ± 0.36; (p < 0.05; mean ± SD)).
Conclusions: Further prospective studies are required to quantify early PFTs in infants with CHD of different phenotypes.
Keywords: Newborn pulmonary function; congenital heart disease; respiratory compliance; respiratory resistance.