Use of prostaglandin E1 for emergency palliation of symptomatic coarctation of the Aorta.

Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) was infused into the pulmonary artery in a 1-day-old infant with symptomatic coarctation. Umbilical artery pressure rose from 50/40 mm Hg before infusion to 83/48 mm Hg after infusion, indicating significant improvement in lower-body perfusion. Successful coarctation repair was performed during continued PGE1 infusion. To our knowledge, this is the first reported patient in whom PGE1 has been used for successful emergency palliation of symptomatic coarctation.