Milrinone in the treatment of Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the
Newborn: A Case Series
Abstract
Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN) is defined as a
failure of the normal circulatory transition after birth. PPHN manifests
as a progressive and potentially fatal hypoxemic respiratory failure.
The condition is associated with a persistent increase in pulmonary
vascular resistance and reduced blood flow in the pulmonary vessels
without an accompanying congenital heart defect. The abnormalities in
pulmonary circulation lead to right-to-left shunting through the foramen
ovale and usually also through the ductus arteriosus, with resultant
hypoxemia, which manifests clinically as cyanosis. Management options in
PPHN include optimal lung inflation, oxygenation, prevention of
acidosis, stabilization of blood pressure, sedation and pulmonary
vasodilator therapy. While inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) is the most
commonly used treatment option, alternative methods can be used whenever
is unavailable or contraindicated. We report three cases of severe PPHN,
in which due to the lack of adequate response to intravenous MgSO4, the
patients were switched to milrinone.