Experiences of Therapeutic Hypothermia Therapy on Six Cases with Persistent: Pulmonary Hypertension and Moderate to Severe Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy using Inhaled Nitric Oxide Therapy

Abstract

We experienced six cases who could undergo therapeutic hypothermia (TH) therapy combined with inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) therapy and one persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) case who could undergo and stop TH during 2002-2014. We experienced no complication in these six cases. We have compared perinatal factors, MRI findings around one-year-old, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and developmental quotient around one and a half year old between 6 cases who underwent TH therapy completely combined with iNO therapy (TH+iNO group) and 38 cases who underwent only TH therapy (TH group). There are no significant differences of perinatal factors, MRI findings, GMFCS, and developmental quotient between (TH+iNO group) and (TH group). These results showed TH could be performed safely for HIE cases with PPHN combined with iNO therapy maintaining the stable condition of respiration and circulation. We need to investigate more PPHN cases with iNO therapy to clarify criteria which cases could be performed TH therapy safely.