Treatment of pulmonary hypertension with diltiazem in a child with bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

A two-year-old child dying of pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale secondary to bronchopulmonary dysplasia, was demonstrated to have reactive pulmonary hypertension in response to 100% oxygen and isoproterenol infusion. In an attempt to find an oral medication to maintain pulmonary vasodilatation, experimental trials were done using hydralazine, salbutamol, nifedipine and diltiazem. Cardiac index, pulmonary and systemic vascular resistances and intrapulmonary shunts were monitored during the trials. Hydralazine, salbutamol and nifedipine were ineffective. Diltiazem 2.0 mg given every 6 h resulted in a profound and sustained decrease in pulmonary pressures and resistance, and a reversal of the cor pulmonale.