Two-week nifedipine treatment for pulmonary hypertension complicating chronic obstructive lung disease

The effects of nifedipine on hemodynamics and blood gases were studied in 10 patients with pulmonary hypertension secondary to chronic obstructive lung disease. Two different sets of test data were recorded. The first set of readings was taken immediately before and during the initial hour after sublingual administration of 20 mg of nifedipine. The second set was taken after 2 weeks of therapy with 3 X 10 mg per day. After the acute sublingual dose, a significant decrease in pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance was recorded: 13% and 26% respectively. This decrease was accompanied by a 32% increase in cardiac output. Similar findings were recorded at the end of the 2-week therapy. Moreover, at this time, although blood gas tension had not been significantly altered, oxygen delivery was 35% higher. No adverse side effects were observed. This study suggests that nifedipine therapy can improve hemodynamics and tissue oxygenation in patients with pulmonary hypertension complicating chronic obstructive lung disease.