Evaluation of low dose prostaglandin E1 treatment for ductus dependent congenital heart disease.
This study reports our experience with low-dose prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) treatment of 91 newborns with ductus dependent congenital heart disease (CHD). PGE1 efficacy, side-effects as well as the cardiovascular and respiratory profile of the patients were analysed. PGE1 doses > 0.02 microgram/kg per minute were used for only 5.3% of the total 23,656 h of treatment. The mean systolic blood pressures did not differ from the normal mean for patients with cyanotic CHD, while the diastolic values were lowered. Respiratory support was required only during 13.7% of the total treatment time. Apnoeas occurred in 21 (38%) of the 55 spontaneously breathing infants, who all had a cyanotic CHD. The incidence of apnoeas was lower during treatment with doses < 0.01 microgram/kg per minute.


CONCLUSIONS
PGE1 can be successfully administered in lower doses than previously recommended. Especially high initial doses can be avoided and low maintenance doses allow long-term treatment without serious complications.
Kramer
H H
HH
Department of Paediatric Cardiology, Children's Hospital, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany.
Sommer
M
M
Rammos
S
S
Krogmann
O
O
D000527:Alprostadil / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001017:Aortic Coarctation / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D012119:Respiration; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D000527:Alprostadil