Successful weaning from inhaled nitric oxide using dipyridamole.

A 33-year-old woman with an atrial septal defect associated with severe pulmonary hypertension underwent suture closure of the defect after assessment of operability by lung biopsy. Postoperative course was complicated by suprasystemic refractory pulmonary hypertension, and she became dependent upon treatment with inhaled nitric oxide. After multiple attempts to withdraw nitric oxide, dipyridamole was administered and blunted the rebound pulmonary hypertension after subsequent nitric oxide withdrawal.