[Hemodynamic studies of pulmonary heart diseases and the effects of nifedipine].

Swan-Ganz catheterization, blood gas analysis, pulmonary function tests and two-dimensional echocardiography were performed in 10 patients with pulmonary heart disease and the effects of nifedipine were then observed. Mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) correlated significantly to PaO2. PaO2 may be a useful parameter for predicting mPAP. Continuous oxygen breathing can correct hypoxemia, prevent and alleviate pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). After using nifedipine, PaO2 and blood pressure of systemic circulation decreased significantly, while pulmonary physiological shunt increased and pulmonary artery pressure did not decrease. As a consequence, the use of nifedipine to treat pulmonary heart disease and PAH is not advocated.