Transport of the Neonatal Patient With Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension

Brust P, Hamburger M, and Larkin P.  Newborn and Infant Nursing Reviews (Dec 2009). Volume 9, Issue 4, Pages 219-225.  Abstract | Full Text | Full-Text PDF (384 KB)

Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn remains a challenging condition to manage. The key to treatment is to maximize ventilatory support through conventional ventilation, high-frequency oscillator ventilation, exogenous surfactant, inhaled nitric oxide, and, if needed, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. When these treatments are not available, the infant must be transferred to a tertiary/quaternary care center by a qualified neonatal/pediatric transport team that is equipped to transport the newborn on inhaled nitric oxide. The transport team must perform a quick and thorough assessment of the newborn, determine and initiate the appropriate treatment, evaluate the response, and transport the infant to the receiving facility as safely and quickly as possible; these steps are the key to a positive outcome. This article will review the pathophysiology, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment options for a newborn with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, and considerations for infant transport to a higher level of care will be emphasized.

---

Comments:

This article serves as excellent review for all neonatal transport teams, and would be a valuable addition to the team's on-the-road resource binder. The authors present a concise overview of the clinical picture of PPHN, and include a practical set of considerations in preparing for and completing emergent  transport of these infants. In addition, tips for compassionate communication and support of the infant's family are included. 

UserName:        Alta Kendall  BSN  RNC-NIC
UserEmail:       alta@telebyte.com
UserHOSP:        Tacoma General Hospital  Tacoma, WA

---