Prostin VR Pediatric
alprostadil (systemic)
(al-pross-ta-dil) alprostadil,Prostaglandin E1
(trade name),Prostin VR Pediatric
(trade name),Prostin VR
(trade name)Classification
Therapeutic: ductus arteriosus patency adjunctsPharmacologic: prostaglandins
Indications
Action
Therapeutic effects
Pharmacokinetics
Time/action profile (improvement in blood gases, pulmonary blood flow )
| ROUTE | ONSET | PEAK | DURATION |
| IV (ACHD†) | 1.5–3 hr | 15 min–11 hr | duration of infusion |
| IV (CCHD‡) | 15–30 min | 30 min | duration of infusion |
Contraindications/Precautions
Adverse Reactions/Side Effects
Central nervous system
- seizures (life-threatening)
- cerebral bleeding
- irritability
- jitteriness
- lethargy
Respiratory
- apnea
- altered respiratory rate (slow and fast)
- hypercapnia
- respiratory depression
- wheezing
Cardiovascular
- arrhythmia
- bradycardia
- edema
- heart block
- heart failure
- hypotension
- tachycardia
Gastrointestinal
- diarrhea
- gastric regurgitation
- hyperbilirubinemia
- peritonitis
Genitourinary
- anuria
- hematuria
Dermatologic
- flushing (most frequent)
Fluid and Electrolyte
- hypokalemia
Hematologic
- disseminated intravascular coagulation
- anemia
- bleeding
- thrombocytopenia
Metabolic
- hypoglycemia
Musculoskeletal
- neck hyperextension
- stiffness
Miscellaneous
- fever (most frequent)
- hypothermia
- sepsis
Interactions
Drug-Drug interaction
Risk of bleeding may be ↑ by concurrent use of anticoagulants, some cephalosporins, or antiplatelet agents. Concurrent use of epinephrine, or phenylephrine may ↓ effectiveness of alprostadil.Concurrent use with other vasodilators ↑ risk of hypotension.Route/Dosage
Availability
Nursing implications
Nursing assessment
- Monitor temperature, respiratory rate, pulse, BP, and ECG continuously during therapy.
- In neonates with aortic arch anomalies, monitor pulmonary artery and descending aorta pressures, and urinary output. Palpate femoral pulse frequently to assess circulation to lower extremities. BP may be monitored in a lower and an upper extremity simultaneously.
- Assess respiratory status (lung sounds, arterial blood gases) and heart sounds frequently. Monitor neurologic status closely. Observe for seizure activity. Monitor for the development of HF. Neonates <2 kg are at higher risk of developing respiratory (apnea, wheezing), cardiovascular (bradycardia, hypotension), and neurologic (seizures, lethargy, cerebral bleeding) side effects. Apnea usually occurs during the first hour of the infusion. A ventilator should be readily available..
- During intra-arterial administration, assess frequently for facial or arm flushing; may indicate catheter displacement and necessitate repositioning of the catheter.
- Monitor for signs of bleeding, especially in neonates with bleeding tendencies, because of effects on platelet function.
- Lab Test Considerations: Monitor arterial blood gases before and periodically throughout therapy. In cyanotic defects, PaO2 should increase within 30 min. In noncyanotic defects, correction of metabolic acidosis should occur within 4–11 hr.
- May rarely cause ↓ serum glucose or ↑ serum bilirubin levels. May ↑ or ↓ serum potassium levels.
Symptoms of overdose include flushing, hypotension, bradycardia, fever, and decreased respiratory rate or apnea. Infusion should be discontinued if apnea or bradycardia occurs.
Potential Nursing Diagnoses
Decreased cardiac output (Indications)Ineffective tissue perfusion (Indications)
Implementation
Intravenous Administration
- May be administered intravenously through a peripheral or central line, intra-arterially through an umbilical artery catheter or pulmonary artery catheter.
- Duration of therapy is usually limited to 24–48 hr. Closure of the ductus arteriosus usually begins within 1 or 2 hr after discontinuation of therapy.
- Notify health care professional if fever or hypotension occurs. These side effects may resolve with a decrease in infusion rate.
- Continuous Infusion: Diluent: Dilute 500 mcg/mL solution further in 0.9% NaCl or D5W. Concentration: Diluting 500 mcg of alprostadil in 250 mL of IV fluid will yield a final concentration of 2 mcg/mL; diluting 500 mcg in 100 mL of IV fluid will yield 5 mcg/mL; diluting 500 mcg in 50 mL of IV fluid it will yield 10 mcg/mL; diluting 500 mcg in 25 mL of IV fluid it will yield 20 mcg/mL. Do not use solution containing benzyl alcohol as a diluent. Stable for 24 hr at room temperature.
- Rate: Administer the 2-mcg/mL solution at 0.05 mL/kg/min, the 5-mcg/mL solution at 0.02 mL/kg/min, the 10-mcg/mL solution at 0.01 mL/kg/min, and the 20-mcg/mL solution at 0.005 mL/kg/min for a dose of 0.1 mcg/kg/min.
- Administer via infusion pump to ensure that precise dose is delivered.
- Y-Site Compatibility: ampicillin, cefazolin, cefotaxime, dobutamine, dopamine, fentanyl, furosemide, gentamicin, methylprednisolone, nitroprusside, potassium chloride, tobramycin, vancomycin, vecuronium
- Y-Site Incompatibility: levofloxacin
Patient/Family Teaching
- Intravenous: Explain to the parents the purpose of alprostadil and the need for continuous monitoring.
Evaluation/Desired Outcomes
- Maintained patency of the ductus arteriosus as evidenced by improved oxygenation in cyanotic disorders.
- Improved circulation to the lower extremities.
- Correction of metabolic acidosis.
- Improved urine output in noncyanotic disorders.