Complications of Long-Term Prostaglandin E1 Use in Newborns With Ductal-Dependent Critical Congenital Heart Disease. Issue 1 (January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Alhussin, Walid; Verklan, M. Terese
• Is Part Of: Journal of perinatal & neonatal nursing. Volume 30:Issue 1(2016)
• Publication Date: 2016-01
• Subjects: congenital heart disease -- neonate -- prostaglandin; Maternity nursing -- Periodicals; Neonatal nursing -- Periodicals; Maternal health services -- Periodicals; Newborn infants -- Medical care -- Periodicals; 610.7362
• DOI: 10.1097/JPN.0000000000000152
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0893-2190

Abstract

Abstract : Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) has been used for decades in the medical treatment of ductal dependent critical congenital heart disease in neonates. The article is a report of a retrospective evaluation of the long-term effects of PGE1 in a neonatal intensive care unit in Saudi Arabia. There were 22 subjects with a wide spectrum of cardiac defects maintained on PGE1 for a mean of 38 days (range: 6-200 days). The majority of the complications included hypokalemia, hypotension, and apnea/bradycardia. Pseudo-Barett syndrome and gastric outlet obstruction were also found. While long-term administration of PGE1 is rare in North America, it is important to be aware of possible adverse effects of fluid and electrolyte imbalance, gastric outlet obstruction, and feeding difficulties.