Abstract
To evaluate the hemodynamic effects of hydralazine in four patients with primary pulmonary hypertension, we catheterized the right side of the heart before and 48 hours after starting therapy with oral hydralazine, 50 mg every six hours. Data were obtained at rest in four patients and also during exercise in three. After hydralazine, total pulmonary resistance at rest fell from 17.5 to 7.7 U, and pulmonary arteriolar resistance from 15.6 to 7.1 U; cardiac output increased from 3.8 to 7.1 liters per minute, and the arteriovenous oxygen difference narrowed from 7.8 to 5.4 ml per deciliter. Mean pulmonary and systemic arterial pressures were unchanged. Hydralazine also caused total pulmonary resistance during exercise to fall from 15.7 to 10.2 U, and cardiac output to rise from 4.7 to 7.0 liters per minute. Treatment was continued, and on repeat catheterizations three to six months later the hemodynamic effects persisted. These data suggest that hydralazine can reduce pulmonary resistance in some patients with idiopathic pulmonary hypertension.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.