Use of aerosolized inhaled epoprostenol in the treatment of portopulmonary hypertension.
BACKGROUND: Portopulmonary hypertension is a known complication in the liver transplant candidate. Intravenous epoprostenol has been demonstrated to decrease pulmonary artery pressures and possibly remodel right ventricle geometry. METHODS: In this report, we document the efficacy of inhaled aerosolized epoprostenol in a patient with portopulmonary hypertension. The effect was of rapid onset and offset. RESULTS: After 10 min of delivery, mean pulmonary artery pressure decreased 26%; cardiac output increased by 22%; pulmonary vascular resistance decreased by 42%; and the transpulmonary gradient decreased by 29%. There were no untoward side effects. CONCLUSION: The inhaled route of delivery of epoprostenol is potential alternative for the acute therapy of portpulmonary hypertension.
Duke Scholars
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Related Subject Headings
- Vascular Resistance
- Surgery
- Pulmonary Wedge Pressure
- Middle Aged
- Liver Transplantation
- Liver Failure
- Hypertension, Pulmonary
- Hypertension, Portal
- Humans
- Female
Citation
Published In
DOI
ISSN
Publication Date
Volume
Issue
Start / End Page
Location
Related Subject Headings
- Vascular Resistance
- Surgery
- Pulmonary Wedge Pressure
- Middle Aged
- Liver Transplantation
- Liver Failure
- Hypertension, Pulmonary
- Hypertension, Portal
- Humans
- Female