Primary pulmonary hypertension treated with short-term epoprostenol infusion.
We describe the use of short-term epoprostenol in a 61-year-old man with primary pulmonary hypertension. The patient was on a ventilator because of respiratory distress. Continuous infusion of epoprostenol was started and it initially reduced the pulmonary artery pressure by 32%. Epoprostenol was tapered, and even after discontinuation, the pulmonary artery pressure was controlled. The ventilator was removed, and the patient remained well on home oxygen therapy 3 months after discharge.
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011464:Epoprostenol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000379:methods; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015300:Ventilator Weaning
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D011464:Epoprostenol