Early nitric oxide is not associated with improved outcomes in congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Hemodynamic management of congenital diaphragmatic hernia: the role of targeted neonatal echocardiography

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a major congenital anomaly, resulting from the herniation of abdominal contents into the thoracic cavity, thereby impeding the proper development of the lungs and pulmonary vasculature. CDH severity correlates with a spectrum of pulmonary hypoplasia, pulmonary hypertension (PHT), and cardiac dysfunction, constituting the pathophysiological triad of this complex condition. The accurate diagnosis and effective management of PHT and cardiac dysfunction is pivotal to optimizing patient outcomes. Targeted neonatal echocardiography is instrumental in delivering real-time data crucial for the bespoke, pathophysiology-targeted hemodynamic management of CDH-associated PHT.

Diaphragmatic Defects in Infants: Acute Management and Repair

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a complex and highly variable disease process that should be treated at institutions with multidisciplinary teams designed for their care. Treatment in the neonatal period focuses on pulmonary hypoplasia, pulmonary hypertension, and cardiac dysfunction. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) can be considered in patients refractory to medical management. Repair of CDH early during the ECMO course seems to improve mortality compared with other times for surgical intervention. The choice of surgical approach to CDH repair should consider the patient's physiologic status and the surgeon's familiarity with the operative approaches available, recognizing the pros/cons of each technique.

Diagnosis, management and long term cardiovascular outcomes of phenotypic profiles in pulmonary hypertension associated with congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a developmental defect of the diaphragm resulting in herniation of viscera into the chest. This condition is characterized by pulmonary hypoplasia, pulmonary hypertension (PH) and cardiac ventricular dysfunction. PH is a key component of the pathophysiology of CDH in neonates and contributes to morbidity and mortality. Traditionally, PH associated with CDH (CDH-PH) is thought to be secondary to increased pulmonary arterial resistance and vasoreactivity resulting from pulmonary hypoplasia. Additionally, there is increasing recognition of associated left ventricular hypoplasia, dysfunction and elevated end diastolic pressure resulting in pulmonary venous hypertension in infants with CDH. Thus, hemodynamic management of these infants is complex and cautious use of pulmonary vasodilators such as inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) is warranted. We aim to provide an overview of different phenotypic profiles of CDH associated PH and potential management options based on current evidence and pathophysiology.

Multicentre, randomised controlled trial of physiological-based cord clamping versus immediate cord clamping in infants with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia (PinC): statistical analysis plan

BACKGROUND

Infants born with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) are at high risk of respiratory insufficiency and pulmonary hypertension. Routine practice includes immediate clamping of the umbilical cord and endotracheal intubation. Experimental animal studies suggest that clamping the umbilical cord guided by physiological changes and after the lungs have been aerated, named physiological-based cord clamping (PBCC), could enhance the fetal-to-neonatal transition in CDH. We describe the statistical analysis plan for the clinical trial evaluating the effects of PBCC versus immediate cord clamping on pulmonary hypertension in infants with CDH (PinC trial).

DESIGN

The PinC trial is a multicentre, randomised controlled trial in infants with isolated left-sided CDH, born ≥ 35.0 weeks of gestation. The primary outcome is the incidence of pulmonary hypertension in the first 24 h after birth. Maternal outcomes include estimated maternal blood loss. Neonatal secondary outcomes include mortality before discharge, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy, and number of days of mechanical ventilation. Infants are 1:1 randomised to either PBCC or immediate cord clamping using variable random permutated block sizes (4-8), stratified by treatment centre and estimated severity of pulmonary hypoplasia (i.e. mild/moderate/severe). At least 140 infants are needed to detect a relative reduction in pulmonary hypertension by one third, with 80% power and 0.05 significance level. A chi-square test will be used to evaluate the hypothesis that PBCC decreases the occurrence of pulmonary hypertension. This plan is written and submitted without knowledge of the collected data. The trial has been ethically approved.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04373902 (registered April 2020).

Mechanical ventilation in special populations

Optimal respiratory support can only be achieved if the ventilator strategy utilized for each individual patient at any given point in the evolution of their disease process is tailored to the underlying pathophysiology. The critically ill newborn infant requires individualized patient care when it comes to mechanical ventilation. This can only occur if the clinician has a good understanding of the different pathophysiologies of a variety of conditions that can lead to respiratory failure. In this chapter we describe the key pathophysiological features of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, meconium aspiration syndrome and lung hypoplasia syndromes with emphasis on congenital diaphragmatic hernia. We review available evidence to guide management an provide specific recommendations for pathophysiologically-based mechanical ventilation support.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia with associated broncho-pulmonary sequestration: A report of two cases and a literature review

BACKGROUND

Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) is a severe congenital anomaly with significant morbidity and mortality. It can be isolated or can be associated with other congenital anomalies, including broncho-pulmonary sequestration (BPS). The association of CDH with BPS (CDH+BPS) is uncommon but has been previously reported, and it can complicate the course of the disease in patients with CDH. We report two cases of CDH+BPS that were recently treated at our CDH-Qatar (CDH-Q) program.

METHODS

We reviewed CDH-Q program registry to search for CDH+BPS and extracted the data for the identified cases. We also reviewed the previously published literature available on PubMed for similar cases.

RESULTS

Out of 53 cases of CDH referred to CDH-Q from January 2018 to December 2022, two cases of CDH+BPS were identified, with an estimated prevalence of 3.8% of this association in our CDH population. Both cases were born at term. Case 1 was diagnosed with CDH+BPS postnatally, while case 2 was diagnosed with CDH antenatally but BPS was diagnosed after birth. Both cases underwent a surgical repair of the CDH with resection of the associated BPS, and the histopathology of the resected lung tissue confirmed the presence of BPS in both. Both cases survived to discharge.

CONCLUSION

The association of CDH+BPS is uncommon; however, it can have significant consequences on the management and the prognosis of patients with CDH. Reporting these cases is important to provide a better understanding of this association and its impact on CDH patients.

Unique Cardiopulmonary Interactions in Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia: Physiology and Therapeutic Implications

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) results in abdominal contents entering the thoracic cavity, affecting both cardiac and pulmonary development. Maldevelopment of the pulmonary vasculature occurs within both the ipsilateral lung and the contralateral lung. The resultant bilateral pulmonary hypoplasia and associated pulmonary hypertension are important components of the pathophysiology of this disease that affect outcomes. Despite prenatal referral to specialized high-volume centers, advanced ventilation strategies, pulmonary hypertension management, and the option of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, overall CDH mortality remains between 25% and 30%. With increasing recognition that cardiac dysfunction plays a large role in morbidity and mortality in patients with CDH, it becomes imperative to understand the different clinical phenotypes, thus allowing for individual patient-directed therapies. Further research into therapeutic interventions that address the cardiopulmonary interactions in patients with CDH may lead to improved morbidity and mortality outcomes.