Sildenafil for infants with chronic lung disease

Article Outline

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In this issue of The Journal, Mourani et al from the University of Colorado, Denver, reported a retrospective review of their experience with the use of sildenafil for treatment of pulmonary hypertension in infants with chronic lung disease. The high altitude of Denver leads to decreased arterial oxygen tension, even in normal individuals, and hypoxemia increases the risk of developing pulmonary hypertension in children with chronic lung disease. The authors certainly see this problem in their practice more often than most pediatric pulmonologists and neonatologists. The initials results of treatment with sildenafil, in the largest series to date, are encouraging.