Abstract
A full-term, male neonate developed persistent pulmonary hypertension, and responded to high-frequency oscillatory ventilation and inhaled nitric oxide (INO). Discontinuation of INO was attempted three times and was followed by severe desaturations due to right-to-left shunt through the patent ductus arteriosus and patent foramen ovale. As a result of this rebound pulmonary hypertension, the neonate was maintained on INO therapy for 6 days. Successful discontinuation was achieved by using the phosphodiesterase inhibitor, dipyridamole. We speculate that during exogenous INO therapy, endogenous nitric oxide was inhibited, thus cyclic guanosine 3′,5′-monophophate, the smooth muscle relaxant, was rapidly hydrolyzed. By inhibiting phosphodiesterase, smooth muscle relaxation occurred, and consequently weaning from INO was achieved.
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Al-Alaiyan, S., Al-Omran, A. & Dyer, D. The use of phosphodiesterase inhibitor (dipyridamole) to wean from inhaled nitric oxide. Intensive Care Med 22, 1093–1095 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01699234
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01699234