H H Kramer1, M Sommer, S Rammos, O Krogmann. 1. Department of Paediatric Cardiology, Children's Hospital, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany.
Abstract
UNLABELLED: This study reports our experience with low-dose prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) treatment of 91 newborns with ductus dependent congenital heart disease (CHD). PGE1 efficacy, side-effects as well as the cardiovascular and respiratory profile of the patients were analysed. PGE1 doses > 0.02 microgram/kg per minute were used for only 5.3% of the total 23,656 h of treatment. The mean systolic blood pressures did not differ from the normal mean for patients with cyanotic CHD, while the diastolic values were lowered. Respiratory support was required only during 13.7% of the total treatment time. Apnoeas occurred in 21 (38%) of the 55 spontaneously breathing infants, who all had a cyanotic CHD. The incidence of apnoeas was lower during treatment with doses < 0.01 microgram/kg per minute. CONCLUSION: PGE1 can be successfully administered in lower doses than previously recommended. Especially high initial doses can be avoided and low maintenance doses allow long-term treatment without serious complications.
UNLABELLED: This study reports our experience with low-dose prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) treatment of 91 newborns with ductus dependent congenital heart disease (CHD). PGE1 efficacy, side-effects as well as the cardiovascular and respiratory profile of the patients were analysed. PGE1 doses > 0.02 microgram/kg per minute were used for only 5.3% of the total 23,656 h of treatment. The mean systolic blood pressures did not differ from the normal mean for patients with cyanotic CHD, while the diastolic values were lowered. Respiratory support was required only during 13.7% of the total treatment time. Apnoeas occurred in 21 (38%) of the 55 spontaneously breathing infants, who all had a cyanotic CHD. The incidence of apnoeas was lower during treatment with doses < 0.01 microgram/kg per minute. CONCLUSION:PGE1 can be successfully administered in lower doses than previously recommended. Especially high initial doses can be avoided and low maintenance doses allow long-term treatment without serious complications.
Authors: Kathryn A Browning Carmo; Peter Barr; Maureen West; Neil W Hopper; Jennifer P White; Nadia Badawi Journal: Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed Date: 2006-08-11 Impact factor: 5.747