Arterial pressure is not reflective of right ventricular function in neonates with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy treated with therapeutic hypothermia

Aim to evaluate the correlation of recovery of arterial pressure with physiological recovery among patients with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy undergoing therapeutic hypothermia. Methods At 24 h postnatal age, we compared 53 neonates of whom 22 (41%) were inotrope-treated to those untreated with cardiovascular medications. Results Inotrope-treated patients had persistent severe right ventricular (RV) dysfunction and evidence of abnormal brain tissue oxygen delivery, despite recovered arterial pressure. Conclusion Arterial pressure is not reflective of RV function and the need for inotropic agents may be reflective of abnormal brain tissue oxygen delivery.