Effects of high-frequency oscillatory ventilation plus sildenafil in severe persistent pulmonary hypertension of newborns

Abstract

A total of 60 infants with severe persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) at our NICU from January 2006 to December 2012 were divided into research group[(n=32, high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) plus sildenafil)]and control group (n=28, HFOV only). Mean pulmonary arterial pulmonary arterial (MPAP), blood gas analysis, oxygenation index (OI), PO2 to fraction of inspired oxygen ratio (PO2/FiO2) before and after treatment were compared between two groups. After 3-day treatment, MPAP (mm Hg)(32±6) vs. (43±9) mm Hg, PCO2 (mm Hg)(36±9) vs. (43±9), OI (56±22) vs.(85±21) in research group were significantly lower than those in control group (P<0.05); in comparison with control group, PO2 (mm Hg)(89±15) vs. (72±22), PO2/ FiO2 (mm Hg)(223±18) vs. (196±24) in research group were significantly higher (P<0.05). The time of ventilation use (d)(5.4±1.3) vs. (6.3±1.6) in research group was shorter than that of control group (P<0.05) while research group showed a higher clinical efficiency rate (%)(81.2 vs. 50.0)(P<0.05). A combination of HFOV and sildenafil for severe PPHN can significantly reduce MPAP, shorten the duration of ventilation use and improve cure rate. Key words: Hypertension, pulmonary; High-frequency ventilation