title: Sildenafil treatment of primary pulmonary hypertension.
abstract: A 37-year-old woman with primary pulmonary hypertension and worsening symptomatology underwent pulmonary artery (PA) catheterization and vasodilator trials. Oxygen had no effect, but 10 parts/million of nitric oxide reduced mean PA (PAm) pressure by 20%. Prostacyclin infusion at 8 ng/kg/min decreased the PAm pressure by 11%, but further dose increases were limited by systemic hypotension. Sildenafil in doses of 25 mg or higher resulted in an average decrease of 14% in PAm pressure. Sildenafil is a potentially useful treatment option for patients with primary pulmonary hypertension, and further investigation is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Critical Medicine, University of Calgary and the Calgary Health Region, Calgary, Alberta.
authors.forename: Kevin B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Laupland
authors.forename: Doug
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Helmersen
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Zygun
authors.forename: Sidney M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Viner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011464:Epoprostenol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011687:Purines; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D013450:Sulfones; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D010879:Piperazines; D011687:Purines; D013450:Sulfones; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D011464:Epoprostenol