title: Efficacy of very low-dose prostaglandin E1 in duct-dependent congenital heart disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study aims to define the lowest effective prostaglandin E1 dose in patients with inadequacy of pulmonary blood flow and/or intracardiac blood mixing and those with inadequate systemic blood flow.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with inadequacy of both pulmonary blood flow and/or blood mixing (Group 1) and those with inadequate systemic blood flow (Group 2) were retrospectively evaluated in two separate groups with regard to the prostaglandin E1 starting dose given in the referring facility, the lowest and the highest dose administered in our centre, treatment duration, adverse effects, and administered treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No difference between the groups could be detected with respect to sex or birth weight (p=0.95 and 0.42, respectively). Group 1 and Group 2 were statistically similar in aspect of prostaglandin treatment duration (9.73±0.81 days versus 11.6±1.05 days, p=0.064). When compared with Group 2, the initial, maintenance and lowest efficient doses of prostaglandin E1 treatment were significantly lower and the titrated dose of prostaglandin E1 was significantly higher in Group 1 (p=0.001 for each).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings indicate that the infusion of prostaglandin at a very low dose (0.003-0.005 mcg/kg/minute) is sufficient to maintain the patency of the ductus arteriosus. A higher dose of prostaglandin E1 may be necessary in patients with inadequate systemic blood flow.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Cardiology,Dr. Siyami Ersek Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Center and Research Hospital,İstanbul,Turkey.
authors.forename: Ilker K
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Yucel
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Cardiology,Dr. Siyami Ersek Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Center and Research Hospital,İstanbul,Turkey.
authors.forename: Ayhan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cevik
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Cardiology,Dr. Siyami Ersek Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Center and Research Hospital,İstanbul,Turkey.
authors.forename: Mustafa O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Bulut
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Cardiology,Dr. Siyami Ersek Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Center and Research Hospital,İstanbul,Turkey.
authors.forename: Reyhan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dedeoğlu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Cardiology,Dr. Siyami Ersek Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Center and Research Hospital,İstanbul,Turkey.
authors.forename: İbrahim H
authors.initials: İH
authors.lastname: Demir
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Cardiology,Dr. Siyami Ersek Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Center and Research Hospital,İstanbul,Turkey.
authors.forename: Abdullah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Erdem
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Cardiology,Dr. Siyami Ersek Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Center and Research Hospital,İstanbul,Turkey.
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Celebi
mesh_terms: D000527:Alprostadil / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004374:Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018618:Echocardiography, Doppler, Color; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D000527:Alprostadil