Effect of aerosolized PGE(1) on the ductus arteriosus of neonatal swine.
BACKGROUND
Inhaled PGE(1) (IPGE(1)) is a potential pulmonary vasodilator in neonatal respiratory failure. However, its effect on the patency of the ductus arteriosus (DA) has not been described.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of IPGE(1) on the DA in healthy piglets.


METHODS
IPGE(1) (1200ng/kg/min) [Study] or nebulized saline [Control] was administered using a jet nebulizer. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was performed prior to (T0) and after 24h of aerosol therapy (T24). The DA was also evaluated histomorphologically at autopsy.


RESULTS
Fifteen piglets, 1-9 days old (study=9; control=6), were evaluated for DA patency. Study piglets received IPGE(1) for 12-24h. TTE was performed on 12 piglets at T0. Nine animals showed no ductal flow and 3 (1 study, 2 control) had a small DA. TTE at T24 in 5 animals showed no change in DA. At autopsy, the ductal diameter and histologic maturity stage were comparable in study and control animals.


CONCLUSIONS
High dose IPGE(1) given for 12-24h does not exert significant effect on the DA of healthy term piglets as evaluated by echocardiography and histomorphology. We conclude that ductal patency in neonates is influenced not only by prostaglandins but also by factors like hypoxemia, prematurity, and heart disease.
Sood
Beena G
BG
Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Wayne State University and Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI 48201, United States. bsood@med.wayne.edu
Chintala
Kavitha
K
Wykes
Susan
S
Gurczynski
Joellyn
J
Chen
Xinguang
X
Rabah
Raja
R
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000336:Aerosols; D000527:Alprostadil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D004373:Ductus Arteriosus / Q000166:cytology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects*; D004452:Echocardiography; D008853:Microscopy; D013552:Swine; D047929:Term Birth
D000336:Aerosols; D000527:Alprostadil