A neonate is diagnosed with transposition of the great arteries pending surgical correction. To maintain patency of the ductus arteriosus until surgery, the infusion given is:
- A Indomethacin
- B Alprostadil ✓
- C Ibuprofen lysinate
- D Nitric oxide
Correct answer: B. Alprostadil
Explanation
Prostaglandin E1 (alprostadil) relaxes smooth muscle of the ductus arteriosus and keeps it patent, buying time before definitive surgery in duct-dependent cyanotic lesions such as transposition and pulmonary atresia. Indomethacin and ibuprofen inhibit prostaglandin synthesis and are used for the opposite purpose, closing a haemodynamically significant patent ductus in premature infants. Nitric oxide is a pulmonary vasodilator used for persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn and does not act on the ductus.
Reference: Katzung's Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, 15th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.