title: Sildenafil as &#x201C;first line therapy&#x201D; in pulmonary persistent hypertension of the newborn?
abstract: Despite the recent advances, the clinical approach to persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) still represents an important challenge for neonatologists. The care of newborns with PPHN requires meticulous therapeutic and ventilation strategies including, besides the stabilization of the newborn, the use of nitric oxide and high-frequency ventilation. However, not all the neonates with PPHH are responsive to this clinical approach. Recent studies have proposed the use of sildenafil, a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor, in refractory forms of PPHN. The aim of this study is to review the cases and the clinical approach of PPHN in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Meyer Children Hospital in the year 2009 and to discuss the possible role of sildenafil in the management of PPHN.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sciences for Woman and Child's Health, University of Florence, Meyer Children's Hospital Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nassi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Daniotti
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Agostiniani
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lombardi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Favilli
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Donzelli
mesh_terms: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010547:Persistent Fetal Circulation Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011687:Purines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D013450:Sulfones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D010879:Piperazines; D011687:Purines; D013450:Sulfones; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate