Am J Perinatol 2014; 31(04): 321-326
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1348949
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Inhaled Iloprost in Preterm Infants with Severe Respiratory Distress Syndrome and Pulmonary Hypertension

Osman Yilmaz
1   Department of Pediatric Cardiology, District Training and Research Hospital, Erzurum, Turkey
,
Hasan Kahveci
2   Department of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Nenehatun Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Erzurum, Turkey
,
Cenap Zeybek
1   Department of Pediatric Cardiology, District Training and Research Hospital, Erzurum, Turkey
,
Murat Ciftel
1   Department of Pediatric Cardiology, District Training and Research Hospital, Erzurum, Turkey
,
Omer Kilic
3   Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, District Training and Research Hospital, Erzurum, Turkey
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

28 February 2013

16 May 2013

Publication Date:
24 June 2013 (online)

Abstract

Objective Many vasodilator drugs, including inhaled iloprost, are used to treat insufficient pulmonary vasodilatation, which is the main issue in pulmonary hypertension in newborns.

Study Design The safety and efficacy of inhaled iloprost for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension were evaluated retrospectively in 15 preterm infants diagnosed with respiratory distress syndrome and pulmonary hypertension.

Results The infants were unresponsive to surfactant and conventional mechanical ventilation and thus were treated with inhaled iloprost. Oxygenation parameters and hypoxemia improved rapidly after treatment. There was no decline in systemic blood pressure, no need for increased doses of vasopressor, and no side effects during treatment. One patient died of sepsis during treatment.

Conclusion In the treatment of severely sick premature babies with pulmonary hypertension, inhaled iloprost has high tolerability and a low incidence of systemic side effects. Based on the benefits of inhaled iloprost in preterm infants with pulmonary hypertension in this case series, further studies are required to evaluate its efficacy and safety in the preterm population.

 
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