Inhaled nitric oxide for primary pulmonary hypertension in pregnancy.
BACKGROUND
Primary pulmonary hypertension is a rare and dangerous entity in pregnancy. Previous studies have found a 35-50% maternal mortality rate in the peripartum period. To date, most reports have described treatment of these patients with diuretics, digoxin, and calcium-channel blockers.


METHODS
We describe the successful treatment of a primigravida with severe primary pulmonary hypertension. We used elective intubation before labor, inhaled nitric oxide therapy, and assisted vaginal delivery with epidural anesthesia that resulted in a viable infant and survival of the mother.


CONCLUSIONS
Nitric oxide can be used to successfully treat primary pulmonary hypertension in pregnancy.
Lam
G K
GK
Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA. garrett_lam@med.unc.edu
Stafford
R E
RE
Thorp
J
J
Moise
K J
KJ
Cairns
B A
BA
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D009569:Nitric Oxide