Primary pulmonary hypertension: effects of nifedipine. Issue 3 (September 1980)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Camerini, F; Alberti, E; Klugmann, S; Salvi, A
• Is Part Of: Heart. Volume 44:Issue 3(1980)
• Page Start: 352
• Page End: 356
• Publication Date: 1980-09
• Subjects: Heart -- Diseases -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Cardiology -- Periodicals; 616.12
• DOI: 10.1136/hrt.44.3.352
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1355-6037

Abstract

Abstract : The results of the medical treatment of primary pulmonary hypertension are usually very poor. A case of severe primary pulmonary hypertension in chronic heart failure was treated with the calcium antagonist nifedipine, a powerful vasodilator which acts directly on vascular smooth muscle. Nifedipine, administered in a dose of 20 mg sublingually, caused a pronounced fall in pulmonary and systemic vascular resistances (54 and 49%, respectively) and a rise in cardiac output (90.3%). Improvement was maintained over a three-month period. These data suggest that nifedipine can be used in the treatment of this condition.