Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 29, 2026

Isolation of Pulmonary Artery Smooth Muscle Cells from Neonatal Mice
08:02

Isolation of Pulmonary Artery Smooth Muscle Cells from Neonatal Mice

Published on: October 19, 2013

Sildenafil citrate, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and disordered pulmonary gas exchange: any benefits?

M Nyp1, T Sandritter, N Poppinga

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Children's Mercy Hospital and Clinics, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, MO, USA. mfnyp@cmh.edu

Journal of Perinatology : Official Journal of the California Perinatal Association
|September 24, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Sildenafil citrate reduced pulmonary artery pressure in infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)-associated pulmonary hypertension (PH). However, gas exchange did not improve within 48 hours of treatment, and four infants died.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Respiratory Medicine

Background:

  • Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung disease in preterm infants.
  • Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a serious complication of BPD.
  • Sildenafil citrate is a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor used to treat PH.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effect of sildenafil citrate on gas exchange in infants with BPD-associated PH.
  • To assess changes in pulmonary artery pressure and systemic blood pressure.
  • To determine the safety and efficacy of sildenafil citrate in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of data from 2005 to 2009.
  • Inclusion criteria: infants treated with sildenafil citrate for >48 hours.
  • Data collected: echocardiogram, inspired oxygen, systemic blood pressure before and during treatment.

Main Results:

  • Sildenafil citrate was administered to 21 preterm infants with BPD-associated PH.
  • A significant reduction in estimated right ventricular peak systolic pressure was observed.
  • No significant improvement in gas exchange was noted at 48 hours; four infants died.

Conclusions:

  • Sildenafil citrate effectively reduced estimated pulmonary artery pressures in infants with BPD-associated PH.
  • The reduction in pulmonary artery pressure did not translate to improved gas exchange within 48 hours.
  • Further research is needed to optimize sildenafil citrate use and improve outcomes in these infants.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors01:28

Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors

Phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors are potent enzymes that function to hydrolyze cyclic nucleotides to their corresponding 5' monophosphates. Their unique biochemical properties have been applied in treating Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH).
Among the PDE5 inhibitors, sildenafil (Revatio) stands out as a competitive and selective inhibitor. It operates by elevating cellular levels of cGMP and augmenting signaling through the cGMP-PKG pathway, promoting vasodilation. Upon oral...
Breathing01:05

Breathing

The process of breathing, inhaling and exhaling, involves the coordinated movement of the chest wall, the lungs, and the muscles that move them. Two muscle groups with important roles in breathing are the diaphragm, located directly below the lungs, and the intercostal muscles, which lie between the ribs. When the diaphragm contracts, it moves downward, increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity and creating more room for the lungs to expand. When the intercostal muscles contract, the ribs...
COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids01:26

COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids

Chronic obstructive pulmonary isease (COPD) involves a group of progressive lung disorders characterized by persistent airflow limitation and chronic respiratory symptoms. Asthma-COPD Overlap Syndrome (ACOS), encompassing features of both asthma and Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is a group of progressive lung disorders that includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and refractory (non-reversible) asthma. ACOS leads to complex clinical presentations that combine the inflammatory...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features01:24

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features

Chronic bronchitis is a key phenotype of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterized by airway-centered inflammation and mucus overproduction. It develops from long-term exposure to harmful particles or gases, most commonly cigarette smoke, which triggers a persistent inflammatory response.Cellular and Structural ChangesInflammation initially affects the large bronchi and later the smaller airways, with infiltration by immune cells, including neutrophils, macrophages, and...
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Oxygen Therapy for Respiratory Failure01:16

Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Oxygen Therapy for Respiratory Failure

Oxygen therapy has emerged as a significant tool in enhancing the quality of life for patients suffering from pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). While this therapy has principally been studied on patients with significant hypoxemia, this therapeutic approach helps prevent potential organ damage and can be administered in the comfort of one's home.
Oxygen therapy is vital in increasing and maintaining blood oxygen levels in PAH patients. As a result, it aids in reducing fatigue, improving...
Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics01:23

Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics

Respiratory symptoms, such as congestion and cough, commonly accompany respiratory tract conditions. Various medications, such as antitussives, expectorants, and mucolytics, play crucial roles in providing relief.
Antitussives include codeine, dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and benzonatate (Tessalon). Codeine and dextromethorphan exert their effects centrally by suppressing the cough reflex center in the medulla.  Benzonatate operates peripherally within the respiratory tract by anesthetizing...