Supportive and emergency use of prostaglandin in the neonate with congenital heart disease.
A retrospective study of 28 neonates, admitted as emergencies with hypoxia due to inadequate pulmonary blood flow caused by congenital lesions in the pulmonary and/or tricuspid valves, showed a marked improvement in the degree of oxygenation after treatment with Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) infusion. The side effects related to the PGE1 administration were observed, and were easily managed. The study demonstrates the efficacy of PGE1 in maintaining the patency of the ductus arteriosus; we therefore propose that this drug should be used, though with caution, routinely in peripheral hospitals before such patients are transferred to specialised centres for further diagnostic and therapeutic intervention.
Hussain
A
A
Department of Cardiac Anaesthesia, Armed Forces Cardiac Centre, Riyad, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
al Khudhairi
D
D
D000527:Alprostadil / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology
D000527:Alprostadil