The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 27, 508-513, Copyright © 1979 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
The use of prostaglandin E1 and Blalock-Taussig shunts in neonates with cyanotic congenital heart disease
DA Browdie, W Norberg, R Agnew, B Altenburg, R Ignacio and C Hamilton
Six unselected neonates with cyanotic congenital heart disease and life-
threatening degrees of arterial oxygen desaturation have been managed by a
protocol that includes administration of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) and early
Blalock-Taussig shunting. In 5 patients (seven paired observations) partial
pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2) rose from 19 mm Hg to a mean of 32.9 mm
Hg within 20 minutes of initiation of PGE1 (0.1 to 0.2 microgram/kg/hr),
infused intravenously or through an aortic catheter placed at ductal level
or with both methods. The nonresponsive patient was older than the patients
showing a positive response (1 month versus 24 to 96 hours). Following
catheterization, immediate palliative operation including a Blalock-Taussig
shunt was carried out. Although all had a satisfactory PaO2 (mean, 49 mm
Hg) postoperatively, the PGE1-nonresponsive patient experienced serious
intraoperative bradycardia, hypotension, and acidosis in contrast to the
PGE1-responsive group. In this study, the use of PGE1 was not associated
with any apparent serious side effects.