Perioperative sildenafil therapy in pulmonary hypertension associated with congenital cardiac disease: An updated meta-analysis

To provide an updated meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of sildenafil on pediatric patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) associated with congenital heart disease (CHD). To assess the efficacy and safety of sildenafil, five outcomes, time duration of post-operative need for mechanical ventilation, time duration of post-operative ICU stay, length of hospitalization (LOH), the incidence of mortalities and pulmonary arterial pressure to aortic pressure ratio (PAP/AoP) were regarded as primary efficacy outcomes. Standardized mean difference (SMD) was calculated for continuous data. In comparison to the control group (CG), there was a significant decrease in the time duration of ICU stay in the sildenafil group (SG) (SMD = -0.61 [95% CI -1.17, 0.04]; P < 0.01, I2 = 85%). Length of hospitalization was assessed in the sildenafil and control groups (SMD = -0.18 [95% CI -0.67, 0.31] P = 0.05, I2 = 62%). However, there was no significant difference seen in mortality rates between the SG and CG (SMD = 0.53 [ 95% CI 0.13, 2.17] p = 0.61, I2 = 0%), in the time duration of postoperative mechanical ventilation between the SG and CG (SMD = -0.23 [95% CI -0.49, 0.03] p = 0.29, I2 = 19%), or PAP/AoP ratio between the SG and CG (SMD = -0.42 [95% CI -1.35, 0.51] P < 0.01, I2 = 90%). Based on our analysis, sildenafil has little to no effect in reducing postoperative morbidity and mortality due to PH in infants and children with CHD.

Effect of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors on surgical outcome of ventricular septal defect and pulmonary hypertension patients

BACKGROUND

Children with ventricular septal defect (VSD) and large systemic-to-pulmonary shunts eventually develop pulmonary hypertension (PH). The perioperative management of patients with VSD and PH is quite troublesome and still debatable, especially in developing countries where the different management options and standardization of treatment is not available. Oral phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors are good treatment options being widely available, cheap, easy administration and do not require extensive monitoring. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of the PDE-5 inhibitors when given orally, early preoperative and continued for 3 months postoperative on controlling postoperative PH with its effect on right ventricle (RV) functions. Fifty-one patients were randomly assigned to either sildenafil or tadalafil, 1 week before and continued for 3 months after corrective surgery. The control group received a placebo.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in the improvement in the right ventricle systolic pressure (RVSP) between both groups, early in the postoperative period (P = 0.255) and in follow-up (P = 0.259). There was also no significant difference in the changes in mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP), postoperatively and on follow-up (P = 0.788 and 0.059, respectively). There was a drop in RV functions in both groups postoperatively which improved on follow-up; however, it was not significant between both groups. The length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay was similar between both groups (P = 0.143).

CONCLUSION

Perioperative administration of PDE-5 inhibitors does not have an impact on the clinical course as regards improvement in pulmonary artery (PA) pressure, ventricular functions and ICU stay.

Sildenafil for congenital heart diseases induced pulmonary hypertension, a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Sildenafil was first prescribed for angina pectoris and then for erectile dysfunction from its effects on vascular smooth muscle relaxation and vasodilatation. Recently, sildenafil has been proposed for congenital heart diseases induced pulmonary hypertension, which constitutes a huge burden on children's health and can attribute to fatal complications due to presence of unoxygenated blood in the systemic circulation. Therefore, our meta-analysis aims to further investigate the safety and efficacy of sildenafil on children population.

METHODS

We searched the following electronic databases: PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, WOS, Embase, and Scopus from inception to April 20th, 2022. Randomized controlled trials that assess the efficacy of using sildenafil in comparison to a placebo or any other vasodilator drug were eligible for inclusion. The inverse variance method was used to pool study effect estimates using the random effect model. Effect sizes are provided in the form of mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTS

Our study included 14 studies with (n = 849 children) with a mean age of 7.9 months old. Sildenafil showed a statistically significant decrease over placebo in mean and systolic pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) with MD -7.42 (95%CI [-13.13, -1.71], P = 0.01) and -8.02 (95%CI [-11.16, -4.88], P < 0.0001), respectively. Sildenafil revealed a decrease in mean aortic pressure and pulmonary artery/aortic pressure ratio over placebo with MD -0.34 (95%CI [-2.42, 1.73], P = 0.75) and MD -0.10 (95%CI [-0.11, -0.09], P < 0.00001), respectively. Regarding post corrective operations parameters, sildenafil had a statistically significant lower mechanical ventilation time, intensive care unit stay, and hospital stay over placebo with MD -19.43 (95%CI [-31.04, -7.81], s = 0.001), MD -34.85 (95%CI [-50.84, -18.87], P < 0.00001), and MD -41.87 (95%CI [-79.41, -4.33], P = 0.03), respectively. Nevertheless, no difference in mortality rates between sildenafil and placebo with OR 0.25 (95%CI 0.05, 1.30], P = 0.10) or tadalafil with OR 1 (95%CI 0.06, 17.12], P = 1).

CONCLUSION

Sildenafil is a well-tolerated treatment in congenital heart diseases induced pulmonary hypertension, as it has proven its efficacy not only in lowering both PAP mean and systolic but also in reducing the ventilation time, intensive care unit and hospital stay with no difference observed regarding mortality rates.

Safety and effect of sildenafil on treating paediatric pulmonary arterial hypertension: a meta-analysis on the randomised controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Efficacy of sildenafil in treating paediatric pulmonary arterial hypertension is controversial. This systematic review aimed to explore the safety and effect of sildenafil on treating paediatric pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) through meta-analysis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this study, the electronic databases, including the Cochran Library database, EMBASE, and MEDLINE were systemically retrieved to identify the related randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Two reviewers had independently completed study selection, data collection, and assessment of the bias risk. Amongst 938 articles researched according to our retrieval strategy, 15 papers that involved 673 cases had been screened. Relative to control group, the sildenafil group had markedly reduced mortality (RR = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.12-0.51; p < 0.0001), but difference within the mortality was not statistically significant between high- and low-dose sildenafil groups (p = 0.152). Nonetheless, difference of the mean pulmonary arterial pressure between sildenafil as well as control group was of no statistical significance. Differences in the length of hospital stay and the incidences of pulmonary hypertensive crisis between children with PAH and controls were of no statistical significance. However, the summary estimate favoured that sildenafil reduced the duration of mechanical ventilation time, as well as the length of ICU stay and inotropic support.

CONCLUSIONS

Sildenafil therapy reduces the mortality of PAH patients, but its effects on the haemodynamic outcomes and other clinical outcomes are still unclear.

An Update on Systemic Sclerosis and its Perioperative Management

Purpose of Review

Systemic sclerosis or scleroderma (SSc) is a systemic, immune-mediated disease characterized by abnormal cutaneous and organ-based fibrosis that results in progressive end-organ dysfunction and decreased survival. SSc results in significant challenges for the practicing anesthesiologist due to its rarity, multi-system involvement, and limited evidence-based guidance for optimal perioperative care. In this update, we briefly discuss the recent evidence on the pathophysiology and current management of SSc, review the anesthesia-related literature, and extrapolate these observations into an optimal perioperative strategy for the care of SSc patients.

Recent Findings

Evidence shows that patients with SSc demonstrate an increased risk for perioperative myocardial infarction, high rates of interstitial lung disease, pulmonary arterial hypertension, neurological disease, gastric dysmotility disorders, and challenging airway management, all findings that may result in suboptimal perioperative outcomes.

Summary

Advances in SSc medical management have resulted in improved survival, likely increasing the number of patients who will be exposed to perioperative care. Optimal perioperative management and risk stratification should expand beyond the well-described airway challenges and consider numerous systemic manifestations of systemic sclerosis such as pulmonary arterial hypertension, interstitial lung disease, and cardiac sequelae.

Association between oral sildenafil dosing, predicted exposure, and systemic hypotension in hospitalised infants

BACKGROUND

The relationship between sildenafil dosing, exposure, and systemic hypotension in infants is incompletely understood.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to characterise the relationship between predicted sildenafil exposure and hypotension in hospitalised infants.

METHODS

We extracted information on sildenafil dosing and clinical characteristics from electronic health records of 348 neonatal ICUs from 1997 to 2013, and we predicted drug exposure using a population pharmacokinetic model.

RESULTS

We identified 232 infants receiving sildenafil at a median dose of 3.2 mg/kg/day (2.0, 6.0). The median steady-state area under the concentration-time curve over 24 hours (AUC24,SS) and maximum concentration of sildenafil (Cmax,SS,SIL) were 712 ng×hour/ml (401, 1561) and 129 ng/ml (69, 293), respectively. Systemic hypotension occurred in 9% of the cohort. In multivariable analysis, neither dosing nor exposure were associated with systemic hypotension: odds ratio=0.96 (95% confidence interval: 0.81, 1.14) for sildenafil dose; 0.87 (0.59, 1.28) for AUC24,SS; 1.19 (0.78, 1.82) for Cmax,SS,SIL.

CONCLUSIONS

We found no association between sildenafil dosing or exposure with systemic hypotension. Continued assessment of sildenafil's safety profile in infants is warranted.

Perioperative sildenafil therapy for children with ventricular septal defects and associated pulmonary hypertension undergoing corrective surgery: A randomised clinical trial

Background and Aims

Sildenafil is known to reduce pulmonary artery pressure but its role in the perioperative period has not been well studied. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of sildenafil in controlling post-operative pulmonary hypertension in children with pulmonary hypertension undergoing surgeries for correction of ventricular septal defect.

Methods

The patients were divided randomly into two groups of thirty each. Group 1 (placebo) received pre-operative placebo and post-operative sildenafil (0.5mg/kg every 6 hrs) while Group 2 (sildenafil) received pre- and post-operative sildenafil (0.5mg/kg every 6 hrs).

Results

In the Group 1, systolic pulmonary artery pressure reduced from 81.63 (±12.1) mmHg preoperatively to 79.26 (±11.29) mmHg pre-cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and 56.76 (±11) mmHg (with 10 minutes post-CPB), whereas in Group 2, it reduced from 83.3 (±12.1) before surgery to 68.9 (±11.3) mmHg pre-CPB and after CPB, to 42.2 (±7.6) mmHg (P = 0.001). The mean pulmonary artery pressure decreased from 60.63 (±10.5) mmHg to 42.13 (±8.3) mmHg in the Group 1 whereas it reduced from 54.36 (±10) mmHg to 31.36 (±6.5) mmHg in Group 2 (P = 0.001). The reductions in pulmonary artery/aortic ratio and Intensive Care Unit stay were statistically significant No adverse effects were recorded.

Conclusion

The use of perioperative sildenafil has a statistically significant reduction in the mean pulmonary artery pressure without any adverse effects.

Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension: Guidelines From the American Heart Association and American Thoracic Society

Pulmonary hypertension is associated with diverse cardiac, pulmonary, and systemic diseases in neonates, infants, and older children and contributes to significant morbidity and mortality. However, current approaches to caring for pediatric patients with pulmonary hypertension have been limited by the lack of consensus guidelines from experts in the field. In a joint effort from the American Heart Association and American Thoracic Society, a panel of experienced clinicians and clinician-scientists was assembled to review the current literature and to make recommendations on the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of pediatric pulmonary hypertension. This publication presents the results of extensive literature reviews, discussions, and formal scoring of recommendations for the care of children with pulmonary hypertension.

Risk-benefit considerations when prescribing phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors in children

INTRODUCTION

Sildenafil (Revatio®) and tadalafil (Adcirca®) are specific inhibitors of the phosphodiesterase-5 enzyme and produce pulmonary vasodilation by inhibiting the breakdown of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in the walls of pulmonary arterioles.

AREAS COVERED

We focus on the efficacy and safety of sildenafil and tadalafil in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in children through a PubMed literature search.

EXPERT OPINION

Although used since 1999 in the treatment of PH in children, it is only in the past few years that robust evidence for the use of sildenafil has emerged principally in the pivotal STARTS-1 study. The open-label extension of this study, STARTS-2, has revealed safety concerns substantiated by FDA post marketing surveillance leading to recommendations to use lower doses. More recently, tadalafil has been introduced allowing once daily dosing with apparently similar efficacy to sildenafil in children. Recently there have been suggestions that sildenafil and tadalafil may have a place in treating muscular dystrophy.

Perioperative pharmacological management of pulmonary hypertensive crisis during congenital heart surgery

Pulmonary hypertensive crisis is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension secondary to congenital heart disease (PAH-CHD) who require cardiac surgery. At present, prevention and management of perioperative pulmonary hypertensive crisis is aimed at optimizing cardiopulmonary interactions by targeting prostacyclin, endothelin, and nitric oxide signaling pathways within the pulmonary circulation with various pharmacological agents. This review is aimed at familiarizing the practitioner with the current pharmacological treatment for dealing with perioperative pulmonary hypertensive crisis in PAH-CHD patients. Given the life-threatening complications associated with pulmonary hypertensive crisis, proper perioperative planning can help anticipate cardiopulmonary complications and optimize surgical outcomes in this patient population.

Safety of sildenafil in infants*

OBJECTIVE

In view of the recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration's warning against the use of sildenafil in pediatric patients, we aimed to provide an updated overview of the dosing and safety of sildenafil in infants and to explore the relevance of the present safety concerns to the infant population.

DATA SOURCE

The National Library of Medicine PubMed and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched using the following terms: Sildenafil AND (infant OR infants OR newborn OR newborns OR child OR children OR childhood OR pediatric OR pediatrics OR paediatric OR paediatrics).

STUDY SELECTION

Studies presenting original clinical data regarding the dosing, use, or safety of sildenafil in infants with pulmonary hypertension would be included.

DATA EXTRACTION

Of the 49 included studies, case reports and case series were the most common type of publications (n = 25). The identified trials included 625 children, with more than 140 infants. Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn and pulmonary hypertension associated with other conditions were the most common underlying diagnoses.

CONCLUSION

There is currently no evidence of serious adverse event in infants exposed to sildenafil. Present safety concerns regarding the use of sildenafil in pediatric patients should be further explored before being applied to infant population. Sildenafil remains a valuable option for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension in young infants. Prospective studies should be designed in such a way that they include a safety assessment to evaluate potential adverse outcomes of sildenafil therapy in this population.

Perioperative sildenafil therapy for pulmonary hypertension in infants undergoing congenital cardiac defect closure

OBJECTIVES

Pulmonary hypertension in paediatric patients with ventricular septal defect remains one of the most important determinants of perioperative morbidity and mortality. Sildenafil is an oral, well-tolerated pulmonary vasodilator with few drug interactions. We studied the effect of oral sildenafil, when given before and after surgical closure compared with starting it postoperatively, on the pulmonary artery pressure and patients' outcome.

METHODS

We enrolled 101 infants with large ventricular septal defects who had moderate-to-severe pulmonary hypertension scheduled for surgical closure. They were randomly assigned to the sildenafil group (n = 51, mean age 10 months and mean weight 6.5 kg), in which oral sildenafil was started 2 weeks before surgery to be continued postoperatively, and to the control group (n = 50, mean age 11 months and mean weight 7.3 kg), in which sildenafil was started only postoperatively. It was started at 0.5 mg/kg and increased gradually to a maximum dose of 2 mg/kg in both groups.

RESULTS

Overall hospital mortality was 4.9%. Mean pulmonary artery pressure decreased significantly at all time points of recording in both groups (P < 0.0001). In the sildenafil group, it decreased preoperatively after sildenafil administration from 75.4 to 59.4 mmHg and postoperatively from 50.4 mmHg immediate post-cardiopulmonary bypass to reach 44.2 mmHg before discharge. In the control group, it decreased from 74.6 mmHg to 51 mmHg immediate post-cardiopulmonary bypass to reach 42.7 mmHg before discharge. No adverse effects have been recorded. Although there was no difference in the duration of mechanical ventilation and hospital stay between the two groups, intensive care unit stay was significantly shorter in the sildenafil group. Dobutamine doses were significantly higher in the sildenafil group; however, milrinone and epinephrine have been used more significantly in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

The low cost, the oral availability and the good tolerability of sildenafil make it a suitable and simple alternative therapy for secondary pulmonary hypertension including persistent postoperative pulmonary hypertension associated with ventricular septal defect in resource limited places. However, starting sildenafil early before surgery does not add a great benefit in terms of improving postoperative pulmonary hypertension or patients' outcome.