Prostaglandins and the management of congenital heart disease
Taylor, W.J.; Alpert, B.S.
American Family Physician 26(6): 127-132
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-838X PMID: 6890758 Document Number: 196548
Either continued patency or closure of the ductus arteriosus is needed to improve survival of infants with certain kinds of congenital heart disease. In many of these infants, the use of prostaglandin (PGE1) or a prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor (indomethacin) permits clinical stabilization in preparation for surgery or makes surgery unnecessary. Although these forms of therapy carry some risk, the risk does not outweigh that of the untreated congenital defects.