Objective: To determine whether type and timing of surfactant preparation affect cerebral blood flow (CBF) hemodynamics differently. Study design: Two sites monitoring cerebral hemodynamics during surfactant administration. Beractant (4.0 ml/kg) and poractant (2.5 ml/kg first dose, 1.25 ml/kg subsequent doses) were administered according to the manufacturer. CBF velocity (CBFv) was assessed before and after the first (Site A) and second (Site B) doses of beractant and poractant. Results: At Site A, 10 infants (birth weight 690 ± 133 g) were studied. CBFv decreased 28.9 ± 5.1% following the first dose of surfactant; there were no differences between beractant and poractant. At Site B, 16 infants (birth weight 896 ± 311 g) were studied. CBFv increased 47.4 ± 35.7% after the second dose of beractant and did not change after the second dose of poractant. Conclusion: This is a preliminary report of two related trials examining CBFv responses to beractant and poractant. CBFv decreased similarly after the first dose of beractant and poractant. CBFv increased after the second dose of beractant, but not after poractant. Cerebral hemodynamic responses between the first and second doses may be due to differences in quantities of airway fluid, while second dose differences between beractant and poractant may be due to differences in dose-volume.

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