Effect of prostaglandin E1 on pulmonary hypertension after protamine injection during cardiac surgery

Background: The effects of prostaglandin E 1 on pulmonary hypertension were assessed after protamine injection at the end of cardiopulmonary bypass during cardiac surgery. Methods: Ten patients scheduled for cardiac surgery presented with pulmonary hypertension (mean pulmonary artery pressure greater than 30 mmHg) after protamine injection and were treated by infusion of 0.02 μg · kg −1 · min −1 prostaglandin E 1 . Hemodynamic measurements were made on occasions after cardiopulmonary bypass. Prostaglandin E 1 decreased pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance, right ventricular stroke work index and pulmonary vascular resistance/systemic vascular resistance ratio, but did not change blood pressure, systemic vascular resistance, left ventricular stroke work index or cardiac output. Conclusion: Prostaglandin E 1 normalized pulmonary hypertension after protamine injection, but did not change arterial blood pressure and cardiac output.