ADENOSINE FOR REFRACTORY PULMONARY-HYPERTENSION

We report 2 patients with refractory acute pulmonary hypertension. In both, a central venous infusion of adenosine into the circulation effe ctively lowered pulmonary arterial pressure when standard treatment me asures had failed, and reversed the clinical state of shock by achievi ng pulmonary vasodilatation. We conclude that adenosine may help lower pulmonary arterial pressure without lowering systemic arterial pressu re in the setting of acute pulmonary hypertension when standard measur es have failed.