Point-of-care lung ultrasound for continuous positive airway pressure discontinuation in preterm infants

Objective: To determine if the lung ultrasound score (LUS) is predictive of successful continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) discontinuation in preterm neonates born <32 weeks’ gestation with history of respiratory distress syndrome. Study design: Retrospective study of preterm infants requiring CPAP. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression performed to formulate a predictive score using clinical variables with and without LUS. Area under the curve (AUC) was compared to determine the added predictive ability of LUS. Results: Forty-one patients with discontinuation attempts associated with a LUS were included. Lower LUS obtained within 0–7 days prior to CPAP discontinuation was associated with successful CPAP discontinuation (OR 0.46 [0.23, 0.91]; p= 0.025). Cross-validated AUC for clinical variables alone (Model 1) was 0.85 (95% CI: 0.74–0.93) versus 0.90 (95% CI: 0.81–0.97) when LUS was incorporated (Model 2, p< 0.001). AUC of LUS alone was 0.83 (95% CI: 0.68–0.93, p< 0.0001). Conclusions: In preterm infants requiring CPAP, LUS aids in the prediction of successful CPAP discontinuation and may significantly improve a predictive tool.