1. Inhaled nitric oxide for primary pulmonary hypertension in pregnancy
- Author
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Renae E. Stafford, Kenneth J. Moise, Garrett K Lam, Bruce A. Cairns, and John M. Thorp
- Subjects
Adult ,Digoxin ,Hypertension, Pulmonary ,Vasodilator Agents ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular ,Nitric Oxide ,Nitric oxide ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Pregnancy ,Administration, Inhalation ,Intubation, Intratracheal ,medicine ,Humans ,Intubation ,Nitric oxide therapy ,Peripartum Period ,Maternal mortality rate ,business.industry ,Obstetrics and Gynecology ,medicine.disease ,Pulmonary hypertension ,chemistry ,Anesthesia ,Female ,business ,medicine.drug - Abstract
BACKGROUND: Primary pulmonary hypertension is a rare and dangerous entity in pregnancy. Previous studies have found a 35–50% maternal mortality rate in the peripartum period. To date, most reports have described treatment of these patients with diuretics, digoxin, and calcium-channel blockers. CASE: We describe the successful treatment of a primigravida with severe primary pulmonary hypertension. We used elective intubation before labor, inhaled nitric oxide therapy, and assisted vaginal delivery with epidural anesthesia that resulted in a viable infant and survival of the mother. CONCLUSION: Nitric oxide can be used to successfully treat primary pulmonary hypertension in pregnancy.
- Published
- 2001
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