[Primary pulmonary hypertension: treatment with prostacyclin before lung transplantation]

We report our experience with two patients diagnosed of primary pulmonary hypertension who later received lung transplants, with treatment with short-acting pulmonary vasodilators (epoprostenol) provided as a bridge to transplantation. Continuous intravenous perfusion at a dose of 6 ng/kg/min was provided to the first patient, a 19-year-old man, for 26 days. An initial dose of 4 ng/kg/min followed by 6 ng/kg/min was given to the second patient, a 49-year-old woman, for 6 months. Symptoms were drastically reduced in both patients, significantly improving their quality of life.