The Journal of heart and lung transplantation : the official publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation
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J. Heart Lung Transplant. · May 1995
Comparative StudyVasodilator therapy after heart transplantation: effects of inhaled nitric oxide and intravenous prostacyclin, prostaglandin E1, and sodium nitroprusside.
Vasodilator therapy is frequently needed to treat pulmonary hypertension after heart transplantation. In the present study, the effects of intravenous sodium nitroprusside, prostacyclin, prostaglandin E1, and inhaled nitric oxide (5, 10, and 20 parts per million) on central hemodynamics, right ventricular function, and pulmonary selectivity were evaluated shortly after heart transplantation. ⋯ Prostacyclin is the best choice for intravenous vasodilator therapy after heart transplantation. However, inhaled nitric oxide is the only selective pulmonary vasodilator, which should be used in cases of pulmonary hypertension and severe right ventricular failure associated with systemic hypotension.
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J. Heart Lung Transplant. · May 1995
Case ReportsDiagnosis of patent foramen ovale with transesophageal echocardiography in a patient supported with a left ventricular assist device.
Intracardiac right-to-left shunting through a patent foramen ovale is a known cause of arterial hypoxemia. We present a case report of a patient supported with a left ventricular assist device who had significant right-to-left shunting as visualized with transesophageal echocardiography. When the device was turned off, no further shunting occurred and arterial hypoxemia resolved. Our report is the first visual representation of the anatomy of a patent foramen ovale in a patient supported with a left ventricular assist device.