The administration of Sildenafil Citrate immediately after mitral valve surgery in patient with secondary pulmonary hypertension appears to be safe.
Sildenafil Citrate is sold under the brand name Revatio for pulmonary hypertension and Viagra for erectile dysfunction. It belongs to the class of drugs called PDE5 (phosphodiesterase-5) inhibitors.
According to a study published in the Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia, the administration of the PDE5 inhibitor Sildenafil Citrate immediately after mitral valve surgery is considered safe and it effectively reduces pulmonary vascular pressure with no systemic hypotension (low blood pressure) and ventilation-perfusion divergence in patients with pre-existing, secondary pulmonary hypertension.
The study was conducted in the cardiac surgery department intensive care unit at Sheba Medical Center in Israel.
Researchers conducted the study on 50 patients with a history of pulmonary hypertension who recently underwent mitral valve surgery, either repair or replacement.
Out of these 50 patients, 25 received Sildenafil Citrate, while others received placebo. The Sildenafil Citrate group received the drug in 20 mg potency every eight hours. The placebo group received a placebo with the same dosing schedule.
Researchers used a pulmonary artery catheter to examine hemodynamic parameters at baseline every six to 36 hours.
They found that in the Sildenafil Citrate group, the mean pulmonary blood pressure reduced significantly after 36 hours. Plus, they also had lower mechanical lung ventilation time. On the other hand, the placebo group had no corresponding changes after 36 hours. They did not notice any changes in systemic hemodynamic parameters and oxygenation. In addition, the Sildenafil Citrate group had lower intensive care unit stay and total hospitalization stay.
