This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Heymann, M. A. Articles by Whitman, V. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Heymann, M. A. Articles by Whitman, V.

Circulation, Vol 59, 169-173, Copyright © 1979 by American Heart Association

ARTICLES

Dilatation of the ductus arteriosus by prostaglandin E1 in aortic arch abnormalities

MA Heymann, W Berman Jr, AM Rudolph and V Whitman

Infants with aortic arch interruption of juxtaductal coarctation of the aorta may depend on patency of the ductus arteriosus to provide adequate lower body perfusion. In many such infants the ductus arteriosus constricts after birth, resulting in severe heart failure, poor systemic perfusion and acidemia. We infused prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) at a rate of 0.05--0.1 microgram/kg/min into seven infants with aortic arch interruption and eight infants with coarctation. In one infant in each group the ductus arteriosus was already closed and did not reopen. In one infant with coarctation an adequate trial was not accomplished, and in another adequate pressure measurements were not obtained. Of the remaining 11, the ductus arteriosus was effectively dilated by PGE1 in 10 infants. This was evidenced by an increase in descending aortic blood pressures and a reduction in the pressure difference between the main pulmonary artery and descending aorta in six infants with aortic arch interruption and between ascending and descending aorta in four infants with coarctation. Lower body perfusion improved and left ventricular failure was improved. The infant who did not respond was 5 months old. There were no complications.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. I.E. Hoffman Abraham Morris Rudolph: An Appreciation Pediatrics, September 1, 2002; 110(3): 622 - 626. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				I. S. Landsman and P. J. Davis Aortic Coarctation: Anesthetic Considerations Seminars in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia, March 1, 2001; 5(1): 91 - 97. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. A. Waldhausen The Early History of Congenital Heart Surgery: Closed Heart Operations Ann. Thorac. Surg., November 1, 1997; 64(5): 1533 - 1539. [Abstract] [Full Text]