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Effect of indomethacin on pulmonary vasomotor response in patients with mitral stenosis

European Journal of Cardiology
|September 1, 1977
PubMed

Insights

Indomethacin did not affect pulmonary artery pressure in mitral stenosis patients. However, it enhanced oxygen-induced pulmonary vasodilation, suggesting prostaglandins are not key in chronic pulmonary vasoconstriction.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pulmonary Medicine
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Mitral stenosis often leads to elevated pulmonary artery pressure.
  • Prostaglandins are implicated in regulating vascular tone.
  • The role of prostaglandins in oxygen-induced pulmonary vasodilation is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of indomethacin, a prostaglandin inhibitor, on pulmonary artery pressure in patients with mitral stenosis.
  • To determine if indomethacin influences the pulmonary vasodilatory response to oxygen inhalation.

Main Methods:

  • Ten patients with mitral stenosis were administered 125 mg of indomethacin over 24 hours.
  • Pulmonary artery pressure was monitored before and after indomethacin administration.
  • The effect of 100% oxygen breathing on pulmonary pressure was assessed with and without indomethacin.

Main Results:

  • Indomethacin had no significant effect on the elevated pulmonary artery pressure in mitral stenosis patients.
  • Indomethacin slightly potentiated the reduction in pulmonary pressure observed during 100% oxygen breathing.
  • No evidence suggests prostaglandins mediate chronic pulmonary vasoconstriction in this condition.

Conclusions:

  • Prostaglandins do not appear to be involved in chronic pulmonary vasoconstriction associated with mitral stenosis.
  • The prostaglandin system is unlikely to be responsible for the acute pulmonary vasodilation induced by oxygen inhalation.

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