Tsuyoshi Shiga
   Department   School of Medicine(Tokyo Women's Medical University Hospital), School of Medicine
   Position   Visiting Professor
Article types Original article
Language English
Peer review Peer reviewed
Title Low-dose systemic phosphodiesterase III inhibitor pimobendan combined with prostacyclin therapy in a patient with severe primary pulmonary hypertension.
Journal Formal name:Cardiovascular drugs and therapy
Abbreviation:Cardiovasc Drugs Ther
ISSN code:09203206/09203206
Domestic / ForeginForegin
Volume, Issue, Page 17(4),pp.375-9
Author and coauthor Watanabe Eri, Shiga Tsuyoshi, Matsuda Naoki, Kajimoto Katsuya, Naganuma Miyoko, Kawai Akihiko, Kasanuki Hiroshi
Publication date 2003/07
Summary Pimobendan, an oral inotropic drug with phosphodiesterase III-inhibitory activity, induces cAMP-dependent relaxation of vascular smooth muscle in the pulmonary artery, as well as in the systemic cardiovascular system. We report here a patient with severe primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH), who had developed right heart failure (New York Heart Association functional class IV) despite uptitrated intravenous epoprostenol, and who was treated with extremely low-dose (0.625-1.25 mg daily) pimobendan as an adjunct to prostacyclin therapy. The combination therapy of low-dose pimobendan, prostacyclin, intravenous epoprostenol and oral beraprost has been continued for over 2 years without occurrence of fatal arrhythmia, and her six-minute walk test has exceeded 400 m. We suggest that low-dose pimobendan may enhance the hemodynamic effect of prostacyclin in severe PPH.
DOI 10.1023/a:1027328614686
PMID 14696637