Abstract: In order to find a safe, simple, effective and selective pulmonary vasodilator, we tested the effectiveness and safety of inhalation of nebulized nitroglycerin (Neb-NTG) by children with ventricular septal defect and pulmonary hypertension (VSD-PH). Twenty μg/kg Neb-NTG was inhaled by seven children with VSD-PH using face mask during cardiac catheterization. The pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), systemic arterial pressure (SAP) and methemoglobin (MetHb) concentration were measured before and after inhalation of Neb-NTG. After inhalation of Neb-NTG, the PAP and pulmonary-to-systemic pressure ratio (Pp/Ps) decreased significantly; There was no significant decrease in SAP. The systolic and diastolic PAP decreased respectively 13±4% and 9±7% in 5 min, 21±3% and 13±17% in 10 min, 24±3% and 16±19% in 15 min. The Pp/Ps decreased 12±4% in 5 min, 21±9% in 10 min and 24±6% in 15 min. There was no significant increase in the MetHb level after inhalation of 20 μg/kg of Neb-NTG. The MetHb level was below 1.5%. Neb-NTG is a safe, simple, effective and selective pulmonary vasodilator.

Key words: vasodilator, nitroglycerin, inhalation, pulmonary hypertension

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