Oral Sildenafil for Treatment of Severe Pulmonary Hypertension in an Infant

Vol. 88, No. 2, 2005

Free Abstract Article (References) Article (PDF 88 KB)

Case Report

Oral Sildenafil for Treatment of Severe Pulmonary Hypertension in an Infant
Kam-lun Ellis Hon^a, Kam-lau Cheung^a, Kiu-lok Siu^b, Ting-fan Leung^a, Man-ching Yam^a, Tai-fai Fok^a, Pak-cheung Ng^a

^aDepartment of Paediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, and
^bDepartment of Paediatrics, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong, SAR, China

Address of Corresponding Author

Biol Neonate 2005;88:109-112 (DOI: 10.1159/000085646)

Key Words

Sildenafil
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Pulmonary arterial hypertension

Abstract

We report the use of oral sildenafil in a 5-month-old preterm infant with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia and pulmonary arterial hypertension refractory to inhaled nitric oxide treatment, maximal ventilatory support and conventional vasodilator therapy. Sildenafil was prepared as a liquid suspension by the method of trituration and administered via an orogastric tube to the patient. Forty-eight hours after sildenafil treatment, echocardiography revealed that the tricuspid incompetence was substantially diminished and the contractility of both ventricles improved, indicating a marked reduction in pulmonary arterial pressure. Oral sildenafil treatment was continued for 6 months until complete resolution of pulmonary arterial hypertension, and oxygen supplement was weaned off. There was no adverse effect during the treatment period. Oral sildenafil may be useful in reducing pulmonary vascular resistance and can be considered for treatment of severe pulmonary arterial hypertension secondary to bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Author Contacts

Prof. Pak-cheung Ng
Department of Paediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital
6/F, Clinical Sciences Building, Chinese University of Hong Kong
Shatin, Hong Kong, SAR (China)
Tel. +852 2632 2851, Fax +852 2636 0020, E-Mail pakcheungng@cuhk.edu.hk

Article Information

Received: November 29, 2004
Accepted after revision: January 18, 2005
Published online: May 4, 2005
Number of Print Pages : 4
Number of Figures : 1, Number of Tables : 0, Number of References : 17

Medline Abstract (ID 15870496)

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