Continuous therapy with intravenous prostacyclin for primary pulmonary hypertension: a bridge to heart-lung transplantation.
Primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) continues to be a major problem. Vasodilator therapy has been of variable success in selected patients. Recently, with the introduction of prostacyclin (Prostaglandin I2, epoprostenon) as a potent vasodilator, several reports have shown a positive effect in primary pulmonary hypertension. We report here two patients with PPH who responded favorably to continuous intravenous therapy with prostacyclin. Both patients responded with a reduction in pulmonary vascular resistance, increase in cardiac output and dramatic improvement of right heart failure. Although therapy with prostacyclin is extremely expensive it may be used as a bridge to heart-lung transplantation in patients with end-stage PPH who do not respond adequately to alternative therapy.
Kramer
M R
MR
Institute of Pulmonology, Hadassah University Hospital, Ein Kerem, Israel.
Fucks
S
S
Simon
Z
Z
Berkman
N
N
D000328:Adult; D011464:Epoprostenol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008875:Middle Aged
D011464:Epoprostenol