The use of inhaled aerosolized prostacyclin (IAP) in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension secondary to pulmonary embolism.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the use of inhaled aerosolized prostacyclin (IAP) in a patient with life-threatening pulmonary hypertension secondary to pulmonary embolism and to discuss the possible use of inhaled prostacyclin in the management of pulmonary embolism.

DESIGN

Case report.

SETTING

Intensive care unit of a university teaching hospital.

PATIENTS

One patient with severe pulmonary hypertension secondary to acute-on-chronic pulmonary embolism.

INTERVENTIONS

Conventional medical management of massive pulmonary embolism and inhaled aerosolized prostacyclin (IAP).

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

Description of clinical course, haemodynamic data and gas exchange data.

CONCLUSIONS

We describe a patient with massive pulmonary embolism for whom the addition of IAP to his therapy appeared to result in a transient improvement in pulmonary haemodynamics and gas exchange.