Improved lung compliance following indomethacin therapy in premature infants with persistent ductus arteriosus.

In the course of a double-blind controlled study of intravenous indomethacin therapy in premature infants with patent ducts arteriosus (PDA), dynamic lung compliance (CL) was determined in 11 infants (six control, five indomethacin) who were not on assisted ventilation during the study period. The clinical, biochemical and laboratory data before the study were comparable between the groups. Following therapy with indomethacin there was a significant decrease in left atrial/aortic root ratio (LA/Ao), left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD) on echocardiogram, and an increase in tidal volume (VT) and CL. In the control group, these variables did not change significantly. The improved lung compliance following early indomethacin closure of PDA may alter the clinical course and outcome of these premature infants.