The role of preoperative sildenafil therapy in controlling of postoperative pulmonary hypertension in children with ventricular septal defects

Introduction: Most of the ventricular septal defects (VSD) are complicated with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) which is the major cause of pulmonary hypertensive crisis and right ventricular failure. Methods: We reviewed clinical outcomes of 63 infants who underwent cardiac surgery and were divided into three groups. Control group (n=20) did not received sildenafil while group A (n = 22) received drug (0.3 mg/kg) before and after surgery. Group B (n=21) received drug at the initiation of surgery. Demographic data, preoperative and postoperative variables were compared among the patients. Results: Patients in the group A had lower preoperative pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) compared to other groups (P 0.001). Also, patients in control group had longer cardiopulmonary bypass time (P 0.05). Postoperative PAP in patients of group A and B decreased significantly compared to control group (P 0.001). Also, pre- and postoperative PVR (pulmonary vascular resistance) showed a significant decrease in group A compared with control and group B (P 0.001). The intubation time in patients of the control group was significantly more prolonged compared with patients of group A and B (P 0.001). Moreover, the length of ICU stay was significantly longer in patients of control group compared with group A and B (P 0.001). Conclusion: Preoperative sildenafil therapy seems to be effective and safe to prevent postoperative PAH and pulmonary hypertensive crisis in children with ventricular septal defects and has a positive impact on postoperative care.