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. 2023 Jun 5;5(6):e0928.
doi: 10.1097/CCE.0000000000000928. eCollection 2023 Jun.

Epoprostenol Exposure During Pregnancy

Emily E Naoum  1 , Carolyn LaVita  2 , Natasha Lopez  3 , Alexa Nardone  3 , Marti D Soffer  4 , Kenneth T Shelton  1
Affiliations

Epoprostenol Exposure During Pregnancy

Emily E Naoum et al. Crit Care Explor. .

Abstract

Institutional policies restricting pregnant providers from caring for patients receiving inhaled epoprostenol exist across the nation based on little to no data to substantiate this practice. Over the last 2 decades, the use of inhaled pulmonary vasodilators has expanded in patients with cardiac and respiratory disease providing more evidence for the safety of these medications in obstetrical patients. We propose a thoughtful consideration and review of the literature to remove this restriction to reduce the need to reveal early pregnancy status to employers, to alleviate undue stress for pregnant caregivers who are exposed to patients receiving epoprostenol, and to ensure safe, equal employment, and learning opportunities for pregnant providers.

Keywords: acute respiratory distress syndrome; cardiac critical care; critical care; maternal critical care; obstetric critical care; pulmonary vasodilators.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have disclosed that they do not have any potential conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Prior and updated policies. RRT = Registered Respiratory Therapist, PPE = Personal Protective Equipment.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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