RECURRENCE OF PULMONARY-HYPERTENSION AFTER VENTRICULAR SEPTAL-DEFECT CLOSURE AND PERIOPERATIVE RESPONSE TO NITRIC-OXIDE

The ability of inhaled nitric oxide to reduce pulmonary vascular resis tance is currently used to select borderline patients for reparative s urgery and to treat postoperative crises of pulmonary hypertension. A case of an infant with non-restrictive VSD who classified as a nitric oxide responder both in the catheterization laboratory and after surge ry, but developed recurrent pulmonary hypertension is described. The l imitations of inhaled nitric oxide in predicting the natural history o f successfully operated patients are discussed. (C) 1998 Elsevier Scie nce Ireland Ltd.