The association of platelets with failed patent ductus arteriosus closure after a primary course of indomethacin or ibuprofen: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: To conduct a meta-analysis of the association of platelet counts and pharmacotherapeutic failure in preterms with a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).

Methods: MEDLINE, Embase, Science Citation Index, abstracts and conference proceedings were searched, and principal authors contacted. Included studies reported indomethacin or ibuprofen use for PDA closure, compared a group which failed treatment versus a group which did not and reported the association between platelet counts and indomethacin or ibuprofen failure. Two reviewers independently screened results and assessed methodological quality using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Results are expressed as mean difference in platelet counts and summary odds ratios (OR) using a random effects model.

Results: 1105 relevant studies were identified; eight involving 1087 preterms were included. Platelet counts were significantly lower in infants who failed pharmacotherapy (Meandifference:–30.88?×?10⁹/L; 95% CI:–45.69?×?10⁹,–16.07?×?10⁹/L; I2?=?24%; p_{heterogeneity?}=_?0.24). Similar results were obtained based on either pharmacotherapeutic agent. Treatment failure was also significantly associated with pre-treatment thrombocytopenia (summary OR:1.75; 95% CI:1.23–2.49, I2?=?36%, p_{heterogeneity?}=_?0.20).

Conclusions: Platelet counts are significantly lower in preterms who fail primary treatment for PDA. Pre-treatment thrombocytopenia is associated with higher odds of failure. Further cohort studies reporting platelet counts in prostaglandin inhibitor failure are needed for meta-analyses to firmly establish or refute a stronger association.