[Severe postoperative pulmonary hypertensive crisis in a case of ventricular septal defect with Down's syndrome]

We encountered the episode of severe postoperative pulmonary hypertensive crisis in a case of ventricular septal defect with Down's syndrome. A 1 year 11 month old female with ventricular septal defect and pulmonary hypertension underwent open heart surgery. On the operative day after tracheal suction she experienced bradycardia, hypotension and pulmonary hypertension followed by shock condition. In spite of vigorous medical therapy clinical aspects were not improved. But only blood transfusion directly into the left atrium and administration of tolazoline hydrochlorides through pulmonary artery were very effective to improvement of hemodynamics and reduction of pulmonary hypertension. Moreover, after this episode pulmonary artery pressure showed elevation at the tracheal suction and the weaning from the respirator. We discussed the cause and treatment of postoperative pulmonary hypertensive crisis.