The effect of transport on the physiologic stability of neonates with ductal-dependent single-ventricle lesions.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the status of infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) or pulmonary atresia-hypoplastic right heart (PA-HRH) before and following transport using the validated Transport Risk Index of Physiologic Stability (TRIPS) score.

METHODS: In this retrospective review of infants with HLHS or PA-HRH transported to a Children's Hospital by a pediatric transport team, an increase in TRIPS score (temperature, blood pressure, respiratory status, and response to stimuli) following transport was defined as deterioration. Statistical analyses included t-test (paired and independent), χ2, and McNemar's tests for comparisons between groups with and without deterioration and before and after transport.

RESULTS: Our cohort [n = 64; 39 (61%) HLHS and 25 (39%) PA-HRH] was predominantly female (61%), black (56%), and diagnosed antenatally (78%). Median transport time was 20 (10-30) min and age was <12 h in 48 (75%) infants. TRIPS scores worsened after transport in 24 (37.5%) infants, due to temperature (n = 10) or respiratory (n = 7) dysregulation. Infants who deteriorated during transport had HLH more often (83 versus 48%) and lower pH [7.27 (0.12) versus 7.33 (0.07)]. HLH was significantly predictive of deterioration during transport [OR 5.60 (95% C.I. 1.18-26.62)].

CONCLUSIONS: The physiologic deterioration in a third of infants with single ventricle following short transports is intriguing and may have implications on their optimal place of birth.