Sildenafil for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension in pediatric patients

Pediatr Cardiol. 2009 Oct;30(7):871-82. doi: 10.1007/s00246-009-9523-1. Epub 2009 Aug 25.

Abstract

Sildenafil is a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor widely used for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension in children. Despite limited available safety and efficacy evidence, use of sildenafil continues to increase. To date, sildenafil use for pediatric pulmonary hypertension has been characterized for 193 children through 16 studies and 28 case series and reports. The primary efficacy data suggest that sildenafil is beneficial for facilitating the weaning of inhaled nitric oxide in children after cardiac surgery. Compiled safety data suggest that sildenafil is well tolerated among children with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension and pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with congenital heart disease. This review summarizes the available data describing the use, safety, and efficacy of sildenafil for children with pulmonary hypertension.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Drug Interactions
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Economics, Pharmaceutical
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / complications*
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / drug therapy*
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / etiology*
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / physiopathology
  • Nitric Oxide / therapeutic use
  • Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Piperazines / administration & dosage
  • Piperazines / pharmacology
  • Piperazines / therapeutic use*
  • Purines / administration & dosage
  • Purines / pharmacology
  • Purines / therapeutic use
  • Sildenafil Citrate
  • Sulfones / administration & dosage
  • Sulfones / pharmacology
  • Sulfones / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors
  • Piperazines
  • Purines
  • Sulfones
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Sildenafil Citrate