Inhaled epoprostenol for management of acute respiratory failure and pulmonary vascular disease

Inhaled epoprostenol has remained an attractive and viable option for the delivery of prostacyclin to offset abnormalities in ventilation and perfusion mismatch while minimizing the typical adverse effects associated with systemic administration. There is a need to better understand pharmacologic properties of inhaled epoprostenol and its application to diseases affecting the cardiopulmonary system. The goal of this review is to provide an overview of inhaled epoprostenol and outline its use specifically in the medical management of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure and pulmonary vascular disease. Among patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome who ultimately required invasive ventilation, inhaled epoprostenol has not improved ventilator-free days, intensive care unit length of stay, or mortality. However, it may be beneficial in certain select patient populations. In the management of pulmonary hypertension, inhaled epoprostenol has allowed for continued maintenance of chronic pulmonary arterial hypertension-specific therapy and for possibly improving right ventricular function as an attractive option in the critical care management of pulmonary hypertension.