Effect of lipo prostaglandin E₁ in ductus-dependent congenital heart disease

Abstract

Prostaglandin E₁ incorporated in lipid microspheres (lipo PGE₁) was administered to 42 infants with ductus-dependent congenital heart disease (CHD). At the onset of infusion, the patients were 5 hours to 141 days old (mean 19.0 days). The dose of lipo PGE₁ was initially 5 ng/kg/minute. The infusion continued for 1–1008 hours (mean 213.2 hours). Lipo PGE₁ was effective in 34 of the 42 patients (81.0%). In the 8 patients in whom lipo PGE₁ was not effective, the ductus arteriosus had closed before initiation of infusion. In all patients but one in whom the preparation was effective (33/34), the response was observed within 12 hours after the initiation of the infusion. Only mild side effects, such as low grade apnea and fever, were observed in 7 of the 42 patients. In 8 patients who received lipo PGE₁ infusion for a long period (more than 200 hours), the effect continued for more than 4 days after the termination of infusion. In the patients who received PGE₁ CD, the effect disappeared less than 9 hours after discontinuation of administration. These findings indicate that lipo PGE₁ was effective at a lower dose, with a low incidence of side effects and a long duration of action. Lipo PGE₁ was considered to be useful and safe in patients with ductus-dependent CHD.