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Objectives Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) have been shown to decrease aortic growth velocity (AGV) in Marfan syndrome (MFS). We sought to compare the effect of β-blockers and ACEI on AGV in MFS. Study design We retrospectively reviewed all data from all patients with MFS seen at Arkansas Children's Hospital between January 1, 1976 and January 1, 2013. Generalized least squares were used to evaluate AGV over time as a function of age, medication group, and the interaction between the 2. A mixed model was used to compare AGV between medication groups as a function of age, medication group (none, β-blocker, ACEI), and the interaction between the 2. Results A total of 67 patients with confirmed MFS were identified (34/67, 51% female). Mean age at first encounter was 13 ± 10 years, with mean follow-up of 7.6 ± 5.8 years. There were 839 patient encounters with a median of 10 (range 2-42) encounters per patient. AGV was nearly normal in the β-blocker group, and was less than either the ACEI or untreated groups. The AGV was higher than normal in ACEI and untreated groups (P < .001 for both). Conclusions β-blocker therapy results in near-normalization of AGV in MFS. ACEI did not decrease AGV in a clinically significant manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate whether the presence of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in preterm infants worsens long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes.Study Design: This was a secondary observational analysis of data from 1090 preterm low-birthweight infants in the Infant Health and Development Program (IHDP), a multicenter longitudinal cohort study of outcomes assessed from 3 to 18 years of age. Multivariable analysis was adjusted for IHDP treatment group (intervention or follow-up), birth weight, maternal race, maternal education, infant sex, maternal preconception weight, Home Observation Measurement of the Environment (HOME) total score at 12 months, neonatal health index, and gestational age.Results: Of the 1090 patients (49% male) included in the analysis, 135 had a PDA. Mean birth weight (1322 g vs 1871 g; P < .0001) and gestational age (30.2 weeks vs 33.4 weeks, P < .0001) were lower and mean ventilator days (11.8 vs 1.3; P < .0001), vasopressor use (12.6% vs 1.2%; P < .0001), and congestive heart failure (8.9% vs 0.1%; P < .0001) were higher in the PDA group. There were no differences between the PDA and no-PDA groups in maternal education level and HOME total score at age 12 months. Multivariable analysis demonstrated no between-group differences in cognitive development or behavioral competence at age 3, 8, and 18 years.Conclusions: The presence of a PDA in moderately preterm, low-birthweight infants does not impact long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]