Neonatal Hemodynamics: Relevance to Research and Clinical Comprehension Review

Abstract

The intricate and immature physiological structures of cardiovascular system in neonates often leads to hemodynamic instability among normal or sick neonates; therefore, their organs are inadequately supplied with oxygen. The hemodynamic monitoring enlightens the dynamic changes that occurs in the systemic and regional perfusions of neonates. It aids in comprehensive neonatal assessment and creates countless opportunities for clinical as well as research applications. The hemodynamic alterations are helpful in formulating diagnosis in early compensatory phase during cardiovascular compromise and therefore help in preventing the escalation of the disease to the decompensatory phase of low cardiac output syndrome. The assessment of blood pressure measurements, systemic flow, systemic vascular resistance, oxygen delivery, oxygen consumption, myocardial perfusion, contractility, and cardiac output are considered as vital parameters to be obtained in order to manage the hemodynamically sick neonates. Various assessment and monitoring methods are available to keep an eye over the fluctuations. Such methods can help in preventing delay in the implementation of care to further minimize the chances of poor neonatal outcomes. Beyond clinical assessment, the advancements include the ability of hemodynamic monitoring devices to collect, store, and analyze the complex physio metric data to formulate the diagnosis and to manage the sick neonates. The application of emerging advancements paves a way that opens an entirely unique and new era in hemodynamic research by monitoring and acquiring data for neonates.