Use of aerosolized inhaled epoprostenol in the treatment of portopulmonary hypertension.
BACKGROUND
Portopulmonary hypertension is a known complication in the liver transplant candidate. Intravenous epoprostenol has been demonstrated to decrease pulmonary artery pressures and possibly remodel right ventricle geometry.


METHODS
In this report, we document the efficacy of inhaled aerosolized epoprostenol in a patient with portopulmonary hypertension. The effect was of rapid onset and offset.


RESULTS
After 10 min of delivery, mean pulmonary artery pressure decreased 26%; cardiac output increased by 22%; pulmonary vascular resistance decreased by 42%; and the transpulmonary gradient decreased by 29%. There were no untoward side effects.


CONCLUSIONS
The inhaled route of delivery of epoprostenol is potential alternative for the acute therapy of portpulmonary hypertension.
Schroeder
R A
RA
Department of Surgery and Anesthesia, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA.
Rafii
A A
AA
Plotkin
J S
JS
Johnson
L B
LB
Rustgi
V K
VK
Kuo
P C
PC
D000208:Acute Disease; D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000336:Aerosols; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002302:Cardiac Output / Q000187:drug effects; D011464:Epoprostenol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D017093:Liver Failure / Q000150:complications; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008875:Middle Aged; D011669:Pulmonary Wedge Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000187:drug effects
D000336:Aerosols; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D011464:Epoprostenol