Lang P, Freed M D, Bierman F Z, Norwood W I, Nadas A S
Am J Cardiol. 1979 Jul;44(1):76-81. doi: 10.1016/0002-9149(79)90253-4.
Prostaglandin E1 was used to treat five infants with d-transposition of the great arteries and intact ventricular septum who had persistent severe hypoxemia after the creation of an interatrial communication. Three infants had a dramatic improvement in systemic arterial oxygen saturation associated with dilation of the ductus arteriosus; in two of the three cases urgent surgery was avoided. Two infants had no clinical evidence of increased ductal shunting and no improvement in oxygen saturation. A trial of prostaglandin E1 is recommended for treatment of severe hypoxemia in infants with d-transposition of the great arteries with intact ventricular septum if the presence of a large atrial septal defect is established.