Postnatal Steroids Effects on Cardiac Function in Extremely Preterm

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Hypothesis/Study question In infants born at less than 29 weeks of estimated gestational age, what are the effects of dexamethasone use on cardiac structure/performance and lung water content? Study objectives To measure effects before and after dexamethasone administration on cardiac structure/performance will be evaluated by using the M-mode technique (Devereux method (25-27) and lung water content will be specifically determined by the degree of water retention in premature lungs assessed by lung ultrasound at the pre specified time points. Methodology / Study design Single center, prospective observational cohort study planning to enroll eligible patients over a period of 12 months

Detailed Description
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This study investigates the effects of dexamethasone on cardiac structure/performance and lung water content in the extremely preterm population undergoing treatment for significant lung disease. For that, the specific aims are to determine the occurrence, evolution over time and possible hemodynamic impact of left ventricular hypertrophy and occurrence and degree of water retention in premature lungs, after dexamethasone administration. As secondary outcomes, this study also investigates the effects of dexamethasone on the ductus arteriosus, body growth, and autonomic regulation heart rate variability, as well as other important outcomes outlined in this protocol. This study hypothesize that in some infants dexamethasone will be associated with the occurrence of early and/or prolonged left ventricular hypertrophy, which may be associated with changes in cardiac performance. It also hypothesize that the anti-inflammatory effects of dexamethasone would improve inflammation of immature lungs, leading to a decrease in interstitial fluid.

Official Title
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Surveillance of Postnatal Steroids Effects on Cardiac Function in Extremely Preterm Infants With Evolving BPD: the SPEC Study.

Conditions
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Left Ventricular Hypertrophy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Echocardiography (ECHO) and lung ultrasound (LUS) studies before and after Dexamethasone administration


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: < 29 weeks of gestational age at birth admitted at the McGill University Children Hospital's neonatal intensive care unit To be initiated on dexamethasone therapy for treatment of significant lung disease as per medical team decision. Exclusion Criteria: Congenital heart disease (except: Atrial septum defect (ASD), Ventricular septum defect (VSD) Major congenital anomalies/genetic disorder (Trisomy 13, 18, 21) Congenital severe lung or airway malformation (Trachea-esophageal fistula, congenital pulmonary airway malformation, congenital diaphragmatic hernia) Twin-twin transfusion syndrome

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 1 Minute

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Intervention/Treatment |
| --- |
|Other: Echocardiography (ECHO) and lung ultrasound (LUS) studies before and after Dexamethasone administration|A. Electrocardiographic (ECG) leads will be place in the patient for electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings. B. Echocardiography (ECHO) will be performed by an expert member of the Neonatal Echocardiography team C. Heart Rate Variability (HRV): ECG recordings D. Growth trajectory: body weight, length, head circumference, length/weight ratio at 1-, 2-weeks prior treatment, 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-,6-,8-weeks after treatment, at 36-week PMA.|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) measures by M-mode (Z-Scores) | The effects of dexamethasone administration on cardiac structure/performance will be evaluated by using the M-mode technique (Devereux method (25-27) 0 day (before the start of dexamethasone), 3- , 7-day of treatment, 14-day of treatment if still receiving dexamethasone, and 1-week, 2-weeks after dexamethasone discontinuation, and finally at 35 - 37 weeks post menstrual age (PMA) or prior to discharge/transfer | At the time of echocardiography | 
| Lung water content | Lung water content will be specifically determined by the degree of water retention in premature lungs assessed by lung ultrasound at the specified time points: 0 day (before the start of dexamethasone), 3- , 7-day of treatment, 14-day of treatment if still receiving dexamethasone, and 1-week, 2-weeks after dexamethasone discontinuation, and finally at 35 - 37 weeks post menstrual age (PMA) or prior to discharge/transfer | At the time of echocardiography | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Left ventricular (LV) output | The effects of dexamethasone administration on: On the LV output assessed by Doppler by echocardiography Time points: 0 day (before the start of dexamethasone), 3- , 7-day of treatment, 14-day of treatment if still receiving dexamethasone, and 1-week, 2-weeks after dexamethasone discontinuation, and finally at 35 - 37 weeks post menstrual age (PMA) or prior to discharge/transfer | At the time of echocardiography | 
| LV and RV function by strain | LV and RV function by strain by post treatment of echocardiography acquired images with a Tomtec platform Time points: 0 day (before the start of dexamethasone), 3- , 7-day of treatment, 14-day of treatment if still receiving dexamethasone, and 1-week, 2-weeks after dexamethasone discontinuation, and finally at 35 - 37 weeks post menstrual age (PMA) or prior to discharge/transfer | At the time of echocardiography | 
| LV ejection fraction | The effects of dexamethasone administration on: The ejection fraction measured by Simpson on a echocardiography. Time points: 0 day (before the start of dexamethasone), 3- , 7-day of treatment, 14-day of treatment if still receiving dexamethasone, and 1-week, 2-weeks after dexamethasone discontinuation, and finally at 35 - 37 weeks post menstrual age (PMA) or prior to discharge/transfer | At the time of echocardiography | 
| Ductal size | The effects of dexamethasone administration on the size patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) measured on the echocardiography Time points: 0 day (before the start of dexamethasone), 3- , 7-day of treatment, 14-day of treatment if still receiving dexamethasone, and 1-week, 2-weeks after dexamethasone discontinuation, and finally at 35 - 37 weeks post menstrual age (PMA) or prior to discharge/transfer | At the time of echocardiography | 
| Doppler flow velocities | The effects of dexamethasone administration on: The Doppler flow velocities measured by echocardiography Time points: 0 day (before the start of dexamethasone), 3- , 7-day of treatment, 14-day of treatment if still receiving dexamethasone, and 1-week, 2-weeks after dexamethasone discontinuation, and finally at 35 - 37 weeks post menstrual age (PMA) or prior to discharge/transfer | At the time of echocardiography | 
| Measures of PDA significance | The effects of dexamethasone administration on: LA:AO (left atrium: aorta) Resistance index (RI) of the Anterior Cerebral Artery Direction of ductal flow Peak velocity of PDA in systole Time points: 0 day (before the start of dexamethasone), 3- , 7-day of treatment, 14-day of treatment if still receiving dexamethasone, and 1-week, 2-weeks after dexamethasone discontinuation, and finally at 35 - 37 weeks post menstrual age (PMA) or prior to discharge/transfer | At the time of echocardiography | 
| LV mass by STE | LV mass calculation using Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) on the Tomtec platform Time points: 0 day (before the start of dexamethasone), 3- , 7-day of treatment, 14-day of treatment if still receiving dexamethasone, and 1-week, 2-weeks after dexamethasone discontinuation, and finally at 35 - 37 weeks post menstrual age (PMA) or prior to discharge/transfer | At the time of echocardiography | 
| RV function by TAPSE | The effects of dexamethasone administration on: Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion measurement by M-Mode on the echocardiography Time points: 0 day (before the start of dexamethasone), 3- , 7-day of treatment, 14-day of treatment if still receiving dexamethasone, and 1-week, 2-weeks after dexamethasone discontinuation, and finally at 35 - 37 weeks post menstrual age (PMA) or prior to discharge/transfer | At the time of echocardiography | 
| Strain and 3D values | The effects of dexamethasone administration on: RV and LV strains and on the cardiac volumes by 3 D (RV and LV) by echocardiography acquired images, using Tomtec platform for post treatment Time points: 0 day (before the start of dexamethasone), 3- , 7-day of treatment, 14-day of treatment if still receiving dexamethasone, and 1-week, 2-weeks after dexamethasone discontinuation, and finally at 35 - 37 weeks post menstrual age (PMA) or prior to discharge/transfer | At the time of echocardiography | 
| Heart rate variability | The effects of dexamethasone administration on heart rate variability by ECG Time points: 0 day (before the start of dexamethasone), 3- , 7-day of treatment, 14-day of treatment if still receiving dexamethasone, and 1-week, 2-weeks after dexamethasone discontinuation, and finally at 35 - 37 weeks post menstrual age (PMA) or prior to discharge/transfer | At the time of echocardiography | 
| Growth trajectory | The effects of dexamethasone administration on growth trajectory (body, length, head circumference, L/W ratio) at 1-,2-weekks prior treatment and 1-,2-,3-,4-,6-,8- weeks after treatment, and finally at 36 weeks PMA | At the time of the last echocardiography | 
| Cortisol levels | The effects of dexamethasone after administration: Cortisol levels in nmol/L | At the study completion (12 months) | 
| BPD | The effects of dexamethasone administration on: -BPD rate (%) (2018 NICHD definition) | At the study completion (12 months) | 
| Mortality | - Rate of death in this high risk population (%) | At the study completion (12 months) | 
| Responders and non responders to Dexamethasone | We will analyze the rate (%) of responders and non-responders to Dexamethasone. Responders: Defined by decreasing Respiratory Severity Scores (RSS) by 40% at day 6 of Dexamethasone treatment or before. RSS is calculated by using maximum of mean airway pressure (MAP) multiplied by fractional oxygen (FiO2) at the day of the first dose of Dexamethasone administration (Day 0) | At the study completion (12 months) | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Lung ultrasound, Echocardiography, Heart rate variability, Left ventricular hypertrophy, Ductus arteriosus, Dexamethasone