Blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation were monitored prospectively during 40 echocardiography recordings on 17 preterm infants (25-29 weeks; 510 -1430 g), to examine whether echocardiography can be performed without disturbi ng cardiorespiratory status in preterm infants. There was no impact on absolute blood pressure. Heart rate increased by a mean of 4 beats per minute, and oxygen saturation decreased by a mean of 1%during echocardiography. While these chang es reached statistical significance they are not of clinical significance as the y remained well within ranges seen during control rest periods. All readings had greater minute-to-minute variability during echocardiography but differences were small and again remained within physiological ranges.
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