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Updated: Jun 24, 2026

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Adult and Pediatric Porcine Model of Acute Volume Overload
Published on: January 12, 2024
A pediatric case study of treprostinil overdose
1Philadelphia University, Pennsylvania, USA.
Summary
An accidental treprostinil overdose in a pediatric patient with pulmonary hypertension showed no significant side effects. This suggests treprostinil has a beneficial therapeutic index in children.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Pediatric Medicine
- Cardiology
Background:
- Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a serious condition affecting the arteries in the lungs and the right side of the heart.
- Treprostinil, a prostacyclin analog, is a common treatment for PH in adults and children with New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class II, III, and IV symptoms.
- It is administered via continuous intravenous or subcutaneous infusion.
Observation:
- A pediatric patient with PH experienced an accidental overdose of treprostinil.
- The patient received a massive dose significantly exceeding the recommended therapeutic range.
- Close monitoring was conducted to assess for any adverse effects.
Findings:
- Despite the massive overdose, the pediatric patient exhibited no significant adverse side effects.
- Vital signs and clinical status remained stable throughout the observation period.
- This observation suggests a wide safety margin for treprostinil in the pediatric population.
Implications:
- The findings suggest that treprostinil possesses a beneficial therapeutic index in pediatric patients.
- This case report may inform clinical practice regarding treprostinil dosing and safety in children with PH.
- Further studies could explore the safety and efficacy of higher treprostinil doses in pediatric PH management.
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