Background: Intermittent inhaled alprostadil (iPGE1) may be a viable alternative to inhaled nitric oxide or epoprostenol for management of right ventricular failure, pulmonary hypertension (pHTN) or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). However, limited evidence exists regarding iPGE1 use in adults, ideal dosing strategies, or optimal use cases.
Objective: To describe the clinical characteristics of patients receiving iPGE1 and identify specific sub-populations warranting further research.
Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective, descriptive analysis of inpatients who received at least one dose of iPGE1. The primary outcome was to describe patient characteristics and alprostadil dosing strategies. Secondary outcomes included changes in respiratory support requirements, hemodynamics, and inotropic/vasoactive use. Outcomes were stratified and compared based on primary therapeutic indication (cardiac or pulmonary).
Results: Fifty-four patients received iPGE1 40 (75%) for pulmonary (pHTN or ARDS) and 14 (25%) for cardiac indications. There was no difference between indications in the number of patients de-escalated from level of respiratory (53% vs 57%, P = 0.76), inotropic (70% vs 57%, P = 0.39), or vasopressor support (78% vs 57%, P = 0.17). Furthermore, there was no significant improvement in cardiopulmonary parameters at multiple time intervals after iPGE1 initiation.
Conclusion and relevance: This is the largest study to date on the use of intermittent iPGE1 in adults. Alprostadil was safely utilized in novel populations; however, efficacy as evaluated by clinical or surrogate endpoints could not be demonstrated and further investigation is needed to determine its potential and optimal place in therapy.
Keywords: acute respiratory distress syndrome; alprostadil; epoprostenol; inhaled nitric oxide; right ventricular failure.