Viagra, saving babies lives
The erectile dysfunction drug Viagra has been found to have a new life saving use - preventing dangerous lung complications in babies with heart defects.
Researchers at the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, working with The Royal Children's Hospital ICU team, gave the drug to 15 babies with serious heart and lung diseases who were being weaned from inhaled nitric oxide therapy, a treatment used to help these infants survive.
They found that a dose of Viagra prevented a common life threatening complication called rebound pulmonary hypertension. They also found that it significantly reduced the amount of time the babies spent on mechanical ventilation and in the ICU.
"Rebound pulmonary hypertension is a very common problem," said lead researcher Dr Lara Shekerdemian. "This is the most rigorous study that's ever been done to demonstrate that Viagra can prevent this complication."