Implementation of less-invasive surfactant administration in a Canadian neonatal intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND

Less-invasive surfactant administration (LISA) is a recent technique used extensively in Europe but rarely used in North America. The aim of this study was to describe our experience following LISA implementation using poractant in a Canadian neonatal intensive care (NICU).

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted from June 2017 to April 2021 of LISA procedures in preterm infants. Data were collected on patient characteristics, outcomes following LISA, laryngoscopy, and adverse events. The primary outcome was the rate of successful LISA procedures.

SETTING

Level IIIa academic NICU.

RESULTS

LISA was successful in 93 of 101 infants (92%). Median gestational age was 30.9 weeks (interquartile range [IQR]: 29.4-33.0). All infants received atropine and fentanyl premedication. Eight LISA procedures were unsuccessful: five because of thoracic rigidity and three because of inability to expose the vocal cords. In the 93 successful procedures, a second dose of surfactant was needed for 15 of 93 infants (16.1%), either by repeated LISA (7/15; 7.5%) or by endotracheal intubation (8/15; 8.6%). In 63.4% of successful procedures, one laryngoscopy attempt was made. The median duration of laryngoscopy attempts was 60 s (IQR: 52-110). Two types of catheters were used: the multi-access catheter (MAC) or the Angiocath in 67% and 33% of procedures, respectively. One infant had bradycardia and 30.6% had profound desaturation of <75%.

CONCLUSION

LISA with poractant alfa was implemented in a Canadian NICU with a high degree of procedural success. Fentanyl may lead to more adverse events with a risk of interrupting LISA and may not be the ideal agent for this procedure. These results may encourage wider dissemination of LISA in North America.