Abstract
Primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH), an uncommon disorder in adults and children, is characterized by elevated pulmonary arterial pressures (PAP), pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), reduced cardiac index (CI) and widened AVDO2. In adults, the calcium channel blocker nifedipine (N) lowers PVR and increases CI without significant changes in PAP. It's use in children has not previously been reported. A 9 y/o, 20 kg patient with a 9 month history of progressive dyspnea, diaphoresis and exercise intolerance was found to have PPH. We report the cardiovascular effects of 10 mg oral N.
N effectively improved both the flow and pressure-related parameters in this patient, with a greater effect on the pulmonary circulation than the systemic circulation. Based on these results, this patient has been treated with N 10 mg po every 4 hrs with dramatic relief of all symptoms over the subsequent 6 months. N therapy should be evaluated in other pediatric patients with PPH.
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Weibley, R., Sherman, J. EFFECTS OF NIFEDIPINE ON PULMONARY HYPERTENSION IN A CHILD. Pediatr Res 18 (Suppl 4), 409 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-01897
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-01897
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