Many infants w/cyanotic heart disease only survive w/early surgical intervention
The most rapid & effective first-line therapy for stabilization of the crashing neonate is IV prostaglandin E1 (PGE1)
PGE1 serves to reopen the ductus arteriosus allowing partially desaturated systemic arterial blood to enter the pulmonary artery and be oxygenated
The widespread use of this agent has profoundly decreased morbidity & mortality
The initial dose of PGE1 is 0.1 mg/kg/min
ADR for PGE1 include: apnea, hypotension, edema, and low grade fever
References
Flanagan MF, Taylor DC. "Cardiac Disease". In Avery GB, Fletcher MA, MacDonald MC, eds. Neonatology. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott. 1994:519.
Turley K. Intermediate results from the period of the Congenital Heart Surgeons Society Transposition Study 1985-1989. Ann Thorac Surg. 1995;60:505-510.
