1 Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University, 11055 South St. Louis Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60655
2 Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, University of Illinois, 11055 South St. Louis Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60655
We found the "Preliminary Report on the Pulmonary Hypoperfusion Syndrome" by Chu, et al. (Pediatrics 35:733) a most erudite and provocative approach to better understanding of neonatal respiratory distress.
We were particularly interested in the use of acetyl choline to dilate the pulmonary vessels. Although the authors used only acetyl choline, oxygen, and sodium bicarbonate to relieve vasoconstriction, they suggest that "it may be that another cholinergic, antiadrenergic, or gangliono-plegic drug will be more convenient and successful."