Endothelin-1 levels in infants with pulmonary hypertension receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
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P. D. Macdonald
Abstract
We studied the possibility of an etiological role for endothelin-1 (ET-1) in the development of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN). Ten infants with severe PPHN requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) were studied. Pre and post pulmonary blood samples were obtained on commencing ECMO and on recovery. The samples were analyzed by radio-immunoassay. The infants with PPHN requiring ECMO had a significantly higher mean ET-1 concentration (21.1 pmol/l, S. D. 3.59) than a group of healthy controls (16.6 pmol/l, S. D. 4.44); however 8 of our 10 infants had individual ET-1 levels within our reference range for healthy newborns. Pre and post pulmonary ET-1 levels did not differ significantly and there was no evidence of a decline in ET-1 levels with resolution of PPHN. Pulmonary overproduction of ET-1 does not appear to be the cause of PPHN, although the endothelin system may still play a role in the pathophysiology of PPHN, probably mediated through changes in receptor expression.
Copyright (c)1999 by Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co. KG
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Articles in the same Issue
- The study of morphology and circulation of early embryo by three-dimensional ultrasound and power Doppler
- The merit of routine cord blood pH measurement at birth
- The influence of maternal erythrocyte deformability on fetal growth, gestational age and birthweight
- Reproductive choice in individuals HIV-1 infected in South Eastern Italy
- The sensitivity of the trivariate analysis using maternal serum alpha-feto protein, human chorionic gonadotrophin and maternal age in screening for fetal aneuploidy in mothers above the age of 35
- Neonatal and pediatric outcome of infants born to mothers with Antiphospholipid Syndrome
- Changes in cervical resistance and collagen fluorescence during gestation in rats
- The study of maternal and fetal plasma catecholamines levels during pregnancy and delivery
- Is adolescent pregnancy associated with adverse perinatal outcome?
- Physical exercise during pregnancy - physiological considerations and recommendations
- Endothelin-1 levels in infants with pulmonary hypertension receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
- Maternal and neonatal outcome of twin pregnancies complicated by single fetal death
- A fatal case of congenital disseminated langerhans cell histiocytosis
- Treatment of severe postpartum hemorrhage by rectally administered gemeprost pessaries
