[Acute and long-term effects of captopril in resistance-induced pulmonary hypertension in childhood and adolescence].

7 children and adolescents with pulmonary hypertension were examined with regard to the effect of Captopril as well on the pressure in the pulmonary artery and in the right ventricle as on the resistance in the systemic and pulmonary circulation and on the cardiac output. After initial application of Captopril 0.2 mg/kg body weight distinct oscillations of the data were measured, but with the exception of a small decrease of the mean pulmonary artery pressure (-8.5%) no determinable change was noticed. A decrease of the pulmonary artery resistance (-17%), the mean pulmonary artery pressure (-10%) and the right ventricular pressure (-3%) was found under continuous application of Captopril 0.3 mg/kg body weight daily for a period of 7 months. The cardiac output increased (+16%) and the systemic resistance decreased (-16%). The changes of data were not statistically significant. Captopril did not have a reliable therapeutic effect on the pressure and resistance in the pulmonary circulation in children and adolescents with pulmonary hypertension.