Post-ligation cardiac syndrome after surgical versus transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus in low body weight premature infants: a multicenter retrospective cohort study

Purpose: Transcatheter patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure is a safe and effective alternative to surgical ligation in low-body-weight infants. Post-ligation cardiac syndrome (PLCS) is defined as severe hemodynamic and respiratory collapse within 24 hours of PDA closure, requiring initiation or an increase of an inotropic agent by > 20% of preligation dosing and an absolute increase of at least 20% in ventilation parameters compared with the preoperative value. Whilst PLCS is routinely observed after surgery, its incidence remains poorly described following transcatheter closure. This study aimed to compare the incidence of PLCS after surgical versus transcatheter closure of PDA in low-body-weight premature infants. Methods Propensity scores were used to compare surgical (N = 78) and transcatheter (N = 76) groups of preterm infants who underwent PDA closure at a procedural weight less than 2000 grams in two tertiary institutions between 2009 and 2021. The primary outcome was the incidence of PLCS. Secondary outcomes included overall mortality before discharge, risk factors for PLCS, and post-procedural complications. Results Procedural success was 100% in both groups. After matching, transcatheter group experienced no PLCS vs 15% in the surgical group (p = 0.012). Furthermore, overall mortality (2% vs 17%; p = 0.03) and major complications (2% vs 23%; p = 0.002) were higher in the surgical group. Surgery (100% vs 47%; p < 0.01), gestation age (25 ± 1 vs 26 ± 2 weeks, p < 0.05) and inotropic support before closure (90% vs 29%; p < 0.001) were associated with PLCS occurrence. Conclusions Transcatheter PDA closure may be equally effective but safer than surgical PDA closure in low-body-weight premature infants.