Cardiothoracic & vascular anesthesia
Combined Inhaled Pulmonary Vasodilators in Cardiac Surgery: A Scoping Review
Authors' conclusion
Combined therapies are promising therapeutic alternatives for the management of pulmonary hypertension and/or right ventricular dysfunction in cardiac surgery, but more studies are required to determine their systemic effects and impact on clinical outcomes.
Study context
- Population
- Adults and children undergoing cardiac surgery with pulmonary hypertension and/or right ventricular dysfunction
- Participants
- 432 adults · 23 studies
- Comparison
- Combined inhaled pulmonary vasodilators
- Outcome
- Hemodynamic benefit (decreased pulmonary hypertension, improved right ventricular function) of combined inhaled vasodilators
Methodological detailsMEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane CENTRAL searched from inception to April 2025
- MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane CENTRAL searched from inception to April 2025
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Studies reporting a hemodynamic benefit in decreasing pulmonary hypertension and improving right ventricular function
18 of 23
Further findings
Clinical outcomes (difficulty weaning from CPB, ICU LOS)
- Conflicting results
- No study reported an impact on mortality, hospital LOS or other intraoperative or postoperative complications
Original publication
Combined Inhaled Pulmonary Vasodilators in Cardiac Surgery: A Scoping Review. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. Published 12 December 2025. doi:10.
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