Efficacy of very low-dose prostaglandin E1 in duct-dependent congenital heart disease.

Aim: The present study aims to define the lowest effective prostaglandin E1 dose in patients with inadequacy of pulmonary blood flow and/or intracardiac blood mixing and those with inadequate systemic blood flow.

Methods: Patients with inadequacy of both pulmonary blood flow and/or blood mixing (Group 1) and those with inadequate systemic blood flow (Group 2) were retrospectively evaluated in two separate groups with regard to the prostaglandin E1 starting dose given in the referring facility, the lowest and the highest dose administered in our centre, treatment duration, adverse effects, and administered treatment.

Results: No difference between the groups could be detected with respect to sex or birth weight (p=0.95 and 0.42, respectively). Group 1 and Group 2 were statistically similar in aspect of prostaglandin treatment duration (9.73±0.81 days versus 11.6±1.05 days, p=0.064). When compared with Group 2, the initial, maintenance and lowest efficient doses of prostaglandin E1 treatment were significantly lower and the titrated dose of prostaglandin E1 was significantly higher in Group 1 (p=0.001 for each).

Conclusion: Our findings indicate that the infusion of prostaglandin at a very low dose (0.003-0.005 mcg/kg/minute) is sufficient to maintain the patency of the ductus arteriosus. A higher dose of prostaglandin E1 may be necessary in patients with inadequate systemic blood flow.