• Thorsten Kramm, Balthasar Eberle, Stefan Guth, and Eckhard Mayer.
• Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Johannes Gutenberg University Medical School, Langenbeckstr. 1, D-55131 Mainz, Germany. kramm@mail.uni-mainz.de
• Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2005 Dec 1; 28 (6): 882-8.

ObjectivePulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) is the standard therapy for patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). In the immediate postoperative period, persistent pulmonary hypertension increases the risk of acute respiratory or right heart failure. In pulmonary arterial hypertension, prostanoid inhalation has been found to improve pulmonary hemodynamics, right ventricular function, gas exchange, and clinical outcome. We report the results of a double-blinded randomized trial with the aerosolized prostacyclin analogue iloprost in patients with residual pulmonary hypertension after PEA.MethodsTwenty-two patients (age, 55+/-13 years; 8 females; propofol- and sufentanil-based anesthesia; pressure-controlled mechanical ventilation) were randomized to receive either a single dose of 25 microg aerosolized iloprost (iloprost group; n=11) or normal saline (placebo group; n=11) immediately after postoperative ICU admission. Primary endpoints were changes in gas exchange, pulmonary and systemic hemodynamics, and clinical outcome.ResultsIloprost significantly enhanced cardiac index (CI) and reduced mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) and pulmonary vascular resistance [PVR (dynscm(-5))] in contrast to placebo. Placebo: pre-inhalation 413+/-195 versus post-inhalation 404+/-196 at 30 min (p=0.051), 415+/-189 at 90 min (p=0.929). Iloprost: pre-inhalation 503+/-238 versus post-inhalation 328+/-215 at 30 min (p=0.001), 353+/-156 at 90 min (p=0.003). Blood oxygenation remained unchanged.ConclusionIn addition to the effect of PEA, iloprost reduces residual postoperative pulmonary hypertension, decreases right ventricular afterload and may facilitate the early postoperative management after PEA.

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