J Korean Soc Neonatol.  2011 Nov;18(2):365-369. 10.5385/jksn.2011.18.2.365.

Successful Opening of Ductus Arteriosus with Milrinone in a Newborn with Tetralogy of Fallot and Pulmonary Atresia

• Won CB
• Kim MY
• Choi DY
• Cho HJ
• Shim SY
• Son DW

• KMID: 2099214
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5385/jksn.2011.18.2.365

Abstract

Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) assumes its' most severe form when accompanied by pulmonary atresia (PA). Preserving the patent ductus arteriosus to maintain pulmonary blood flow is life-saving for patients with this congenital heart disease. Milrinone, a selective phosphodiesterase III inhibitor, is a potent vasodilator. Here, we report the successful use of milrinone for a newborn infant with TOF and PA for keeping the ductus arteriosus open and thereby maintaining pulmonary circulation. Milrinone is a useful drug because of its inotropic, lusitropic, and pulmonary vasodilating effects, in addition to its ability to keep the ductus arteriosus open and its relatively mild side-effects. Case series and comparative studies will be needed in the future to verify the effectiveness of this drug.

Keyword

Congenital heart disease; Tetralogy of Fallot; Pulmonary atresia; Ductus arteriosus; Milrinone; Phosphodiesterase inhibitor; Newborn

MeSH Terms

Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 3
Ductus Arteriosus
Ductus Arteriosus, Patent
Heart Diseases
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Milrinone
Pulmonary Atresia
Pulmonary Circulation
Tetralogy of Fallot
Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 3
Milrinone