[Hemodynamic effects of prostaglandin E1 in patients with congenital heart disease and pulmonary hypertension].

Investigations were performed to determine whether prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) would get a favorable change in pulmonary hymodynamics in patients with congenital heart disease and elevated pulmonary vascular resistance. Thirty-seven patients were studied. PGE1 was infused into the pulmonary artery with 100-200 ng/kg.min. PGE1 caused a significant decrease in pulmonary artery pressure and in pulmonary resistance in low-resistance group (TPRO < or = 600 kPa.s/L) (P < 0.05). But PGE1 resulted in systemic hypotention in high-resistance group for the same dose (TPRO > 600 kPa.s/L). This study shows that PGE1 is an effective vasodilator. The doses and the effects of PGE1 are dependent on the degree of pulmonary vascular disease.