Short-term hemodynamic effect of a new oral PGI2 analogue, beraprost, in primary and secondary pulmonary hypertension.

In 4 patients with primary pulmonary hypertension, there was a -24% +/- 20% decrease in pulmonary vascular resistance, a significant increase of cardiac index by +27 +/- 14% in all 4 patients; a -15 +/- 12% decrease in pulmonary artery pressure in 3 patients; and in 3 patients with 12% secondary pulmonary hypertension, there was a -24 +/- 14% decrease in pulmonary vascular resistance. Beraprost appears to be effective as a new pulmonary vasodilative agent.