Title:Cardiovascular Drug Therapy for Human Newborn: Review of Pharmacodynamic Data
VOLUME: 23 ISSUE: 38
Author(s):Ebru Ergenekon, Hector Rojas-Anaya, Maria Carmen Bravo, Charalampos Kotidis, Liam Mahoney and Heike Rabe*
Affiliation:Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Gazi University Hospital, Ankara, Academic Department of Paediatrics, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, Department of Neonatology, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, Academic Department of Paediatrics, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, Academic Department of Paediatrics, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton
Keywords:Cardiac, circulation, inotrope, pharmacodynamic, neonate, preterm.
Abstract:Background: Circulatory failure in preterm and term newborn infants is commonly treated with
inotropes or vasoactive medications. In this structured literature review, the available data on pharmacodynamic
effects of the inotropes adrenaline, dobutamine, dopamine, levosimendan, milrinone, noradrenaline, and the
vasoactive drugs vasopressin and hydrocortisone are presented.
Methods: Structured searches were conducted to identify relevant articles according to pre-defined inclusion
criteria which were human clinical trials published after 2000.
Results: Out of 101 identified eligible studies only 22 studies met the criteria for evidence based practice guidelines
level I to IV. The most prevalent pharmacodynamic effects were increase in blood pressure and/or heart rate,
which were also the most frequently studied circulatory parameters.
Conclusion: This review demonstrates the need for further systematic studies on all reviewed drugs with incorporation
of novel non-invasive biomarkers in this vulnerable patient group, for more timely and appropriate treatment
for clinical efficacy.
