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Viagra for pulmonary hypertension
By: Ivanhoe Broadcast News
21 August 2004
The chemical drug sildenafil is commonly known as Viagra. Viagra is used for treating men with erectile dysfunction. However, it may also be the answer for babies and children with a serious health problem.
Pulmonary hypertension is basically high blood pressure in the lungs. It can be caused by a heart defect or for other reasons that are not well explained. The condition can also occur right after heart surgery.
In a baby, pulmonary hypertension is virtually a death sentence as the condition makes it very difficult for the heart to pump blood to the lungs. Now, a few studies are suggesting babies and children with this disorder may respond to Viagra.
Viagra works by helping the blood vessels dilate or relax. Doctors say, over time, they hope the blood vessels will restructure to a more relaxed state.
"There are not a lot of options for children with high blood pressure in the lungs," Dr. Mary Taylor, a pediatric cardiologist at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital, said.
She says nitric oxide is one treatment that works in the short-term for these babies, but there is no long-term solution. Doctors hope Viagra may be the answer.
Recent studies have shown that adults, whose pulmonary hypertension is reduced with nitric oxide, can benefit similarly with oral Viagra. The drug has been used on some babies and children as an off-label treatment.
"We have had many, many children, some here and other children all over the country, who have gotten it for pulmonary hypertension and have tolerated it very well," Taylor said.
One of the current studies on Viagra in children is being done at 40 sites across the United States. Part of that study looks at the use of Viagra through an IV for children after heart surgery. Researchers say they will test to see if the blood vessels respond to Viagra in a short time period right after heart surgery.
Another study in progress is looking at newborns who have persistent pulmonary hypertension. In this study, researchers are trying to determine the appropriate dose of Viagra for the newborns.
Newborns are particularly at high risk for pulmonary hypertension after heart surgery.
"Pulmonary hypertension is one of the major causes of death and complications after cardiac surgery in newborns, thus the importance of finding a treatment," Taylor said.
source :-http://www.news8austin.com/ | 
