Prostacyclin in the intensive care setting

Pediatr Crit Care Med. 2010 Mar;11(2 Suppl):S41-5. doi: 10.1097/PCC.0b013e3181d10845.

Abstract

The prostacyclins-prostanoids were one of the first medications used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Three prostanoids have been developed to treat PAH: epoprostenol, treprostinil, and iloprost. In the acute setting, experience is growing, using the inhaled forms of these three medications. Inhalation may improve ventilation/perfusion matching, whereas in the intravenous form these medications may cause nonselective pulmonary vasodilation and may worsen ventilation/perfusion matching. Currently, there are no universal recommendations for dosing delivery of inhaled prostanoids to intubated patients in the intensive care unit setting.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Inhalation
  • Antihypertensive Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antihypertensive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Child
  • Critical Care*
  • Epoprostenol / administration & dosage
  • Epoprostenol / analogs & derivatives
  • Epoprostenol / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / drug therapy*
  • Iloprost / administration & dosage
  • Iloprost / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Epoprostenol
  • Iloprost
  • treprostinil