Noninvasive Administration of Inhaled Epoprostenol and Inhaled Milrinone in Extubated, Spontaneously Breathing Patients With Right Ventricular Failure and Portal Hypertension: A Report of 2 Cases

A A Pract. 2019 Mar 15;12(6):208-211. doi: 10.1213/XAA.0000000000000886.

Abstract

We describe the cases of 2 patients free from mechanical ventilation after a cardiac surgery with systemic venous congestion from right ventricular (RV) failure. Management of these patients included RV preload reduction with diuretics and RV afterload reduction with inhaled pulmonary vasodilators. Noninvasive combination of inhaled epoprostenol and inhaled milrinone through the AirLife filtered nebulizer system (CareFusion) was used. Reduction of splanchnic venous congestion was assessed by Doppler portal flow pulsatility.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Inhalation
  • Aged
  • Airway Extubation
  • Antihypertensive Agents / administration & dosage
  • Cardiac Surgical Procedures / methods
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Epoprostenol / administration & dosage*
  • Female
  • Heart Failure / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Portal / drug therapy*
  • Male
  • Milrinone / administration & dosage*
  • Vasodilator Agents / administration & dosage
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Right / drug therapy
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Vasodilator Agents
  • Epoprostenol
  • Milrinone