Failure of the normal cardiopulmonary transition can lead to persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn. Some degree of pulmonary hypertension complicates the course of more than 10% of all neonates with respiratory failure. This review article discusses the vascular abnormalities associated with neonatal pulmonary hypertension. Common therapies including inhaled nitric oxide, high freque...

Definition of terms Pulmonary hypertension is defined as a mean pulmonary artery pressure > 25 mm Hg at rest or 30 mm Hg with exercise. The classification of pulmonary hypertension is linked to the anatomy or the aetiology. These diagnostic categories are for the convenience of deciding on treatment. Primary pulmonary hypertension refers to pulmonary hypertension for which no cause can be ident...

Tolazoline is a non-selective competitive α-adrenergic receptor antagonist. It is a vasodilator that is used to treat spasms of peripheral blood vessels (as in acrocyanosis).Tolazoline is indicated in the treatment of persistent pulmonary hypertension in the newborn (persistent fetal circulation) when systemic arterial oxygenation cannot be maintained by supplemental oxygen and mechanical venti...