[Efficacy of nifedipine on refractory hypoxemia associated with diaphragmatic hernia in the newborn infant. Apropos of a case].

Abstract

A 3,200 g birth weight, 38-week gestational age neonate developed very severe persistent pulmonary hypertension following surgical repair of a left diaphragmatic hernia. Despite administration of dopamine, dobutamine, and tolazoline, a significant alveolar-arterial oxygen difference (660 mmHg) was found at age 41 hours. Nifedipine was then administered sublingually in a dose of 1 mg/kg and produced an immediate and dramatic improvement in the right radial artery pO2 that was sustained despite persistence of the right-to-left shunt. We discuss the mode of action of this vasodilating agent that, when added to major therapeutic agents, proved capable of completely reversing a hazardous neonatal situation.

• Authors: A Burguet, A Menget, C Fromentin, R Destuynder
• Journal: Annales de pediatrie (Ann Pediatr (Paris)) Vol. 36 Issue 8 Pg. 557-9 (Oct 1989) ISSN: 0066-2097 [Print] France
• Vernacular Title: Efficacité de la nifédipine sur l'hypoxémie réfractaire associée à la hernie diaphragmatique du nouveau-né. A propos d'une observation.
• PMID: 2817706 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Nifedipine

Topics

• Drug Evaluation
• Hernia, Diaphragmatic (surgery)
• Hernias, Diaphragmatic, Congenital
• Humans
• Hypertension, Pulmonary (drug therapy, etiology)
• Hypoxia (drug therapy, etiology)
• Infant, Newborn
• Male
• Nifedipine (therapeutic use)
• Postoperative Complications