BJA Advance Access originally published online on March 11, 2005
British Journal of Anaesthesia 2005 94(6):774-777; doi:10.1093/bja/aei114
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CASE REPORT |
Treatment of pulmonary hypertension in the general adult intensive care unit: a role for oral sildenafil?
Departments of 1 Critical Care and 2 Pharmacy, University College London Hospitals, Mortimer Street, London W1T 3AA, UK. 3 Institute of Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University College London, 6975 Chenies Mews, London WC1E 6HX, UK
* Corresponding author: Institute of Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University College London (Bloomsbury Campus), 6975 Chenies Mews, London WC1E 6HX, UK. E-mail: p.glynne{at}ucl.ac.uk
Use of inhaled nitric oxide for treatment of pulmonary hypertension in adult critical illness is limited by its mode of delivery and high costs, prompting evaluation of alternative therapies. We report the use of oral sildenafil in a patient with severe secondary pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular dysfunction. Following reduction in mean pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance with inhaled nitric oxide, crossover to sildenafil therapy maintained control of pulmonary hypertension, facilitating discontinuation of respiratory and cardiovascular organ support. The relative pulmonary vascular specificity of oral sildenafil, and its low cost, makes it an attractive therapeutic alternative to inhaled nitric oxide, and warrants further study.
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- Re: Case report:Treatment of Pulmonary hypertension in the general adult intensive care unit: a role
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