[Long-term use of the calcium antagonist nifedipine (corinfar) in the treatment of patients with primary pulmonary hypertension].

Sixteen patients on long-term treatment for primary pulmonary hypertension were studied. The results were compared after a single 20 mg dose, a two-week course and long-term (13.9 months on the average) use of the drug (40 mg/day). Pulmonary arterial catheterization, thermodilution and occlusion plethysmography were used. Changes in central and peripheral hemodynamic parameters were unidirectional and similar at all stages of the study. Nifedipine improved hemodynamics, as evidenced by selected criteria, in 80% of patients exposed to acute tests, in 91% after a course of treatment and in 58% after long-term use. Therefore, considering the ability of nifedipine to improve pulmonary hemodynamics as well as stable effect over more than one year of treatment, and the absence of marked side effects, this drug can be regarded as the most effective vasodilating agent for the treatment of primary pulmonary hypertension.