[Prostaglandin 12 analogs (epoprostenol and treprostinil) as a treatment for refractory bronchopulmonary dysplasia-induced pulmonary hypertension in an infant].

Pulmonary hypertension is a common complication of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, with a high mortality rate. Despite the high incidence of pulmonary hypertension, there are few available treatments. Epoprostenol and treprostinil are prostaglandin I2 analogs that activate adenylate cyclase and increase cyclic adenosine monophosphate in the pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells. Therefore, they may be an effective treatment for these patients. We report the use of prostaglandin I2 analogs in an extremely low birth weight preterm baby with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia associated with pulmonary hypertension non-responding to inhaled nitric oxide and sildenafil. In our patient this treatment resulted in remarkable clinical and echocardiographic improvement, evident after a few weeks of treatment.