• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.10
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• pp.1175-1180
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• 2009

We report a case of a full-term neonate with persistent pulmonary hypertension who developed asphyxia after birth and was treated with iloprost. The neonate had persistent hypoxia and did not respond to supportive treatment. Because inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) was not available in our hospital, inhaled iloprost was administered via an endotracheal tube. This resulted in an immediate elevation of oxygen saturation. Echocardiography revealed the conversion of the right-to-left ductal shunt to the left-to-right one and a decrease of the right ventricular pressure. The use of inhaled iloprost did not cause any significant side effects. Here, we describe our experience where iloprost was used in a neonate with persistent pulmonary hypertension because the standard therapy with inhaled nitric oxide was not available.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.57 no.10
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• pp.461-463
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• 2014

Decreased exercise capacity after Fontan surgery is relatively common and the failure of the Fontan state gradually increases with age. However, there is no further treatment for patients with Fontan circulation. Pulmonary vasodilation therapy is an effective method to solve this problem because pulmonary vascular resistance is a major factor of the Fontan problem. Inhaled iloprost is a chemically stable prostacyclin analogue and a potent pulmonary vasodilator. We experienced two cases of Fontan patients treated with inhaled iloprost for 12 weeks. The first patient was an 18-year-old female with pulmonary atresia with an intact ventricular septum, and the second patient was a 22-year-old male with a double outlet right ventricle. Fifteen years have passed since both patients received Fontan surgery. While the pulmonary pressure was not decreased significantly, improved exercise capacity and cardiac output were observed without any major side effects in both patients. The iloprost inhalation therapy was well tolerated and effective for the symptomatic treatment of Fontan patients.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.93-96
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• 2010

A 47-year-old male patient in whom atrial septal defect (ASD) had been diagnosed 15 years previously was admitted for cardiac catheterization. He had definite cyanotic lips and nail beds and severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). He had received medical treatment only for the last few years after being diagnosed with Eisenmenger syndrome. After cardiac catheterization, he received iloprost inhalation therapy pre and postoperation and was discharged after successful surgical closure of the ASD.