Fukushima J. Med. Sci., Vol. 56, No. 2, 2010
[Case Report]
EFFECTS OF ORAL SUPPLEMENTATION OF L-ARGININE IN THE TREATMENT OF PULMONARY HYPERTENSION SECONDARY TO PULMONARY EMBOLISM: A CASE REPORT
HIROSHI OGATA1), TOMOKO TAKAHASHI1), KAZUNOBU ISHIKAWA2), TOSIYUKI ISHIBASHI2), YUKIO MARUYAMA2), MACHIKO WATANABE3) and KIYOTO EDO1)
1)Pharmacy Fukushima Medical University Hospital, Fukushima, 2)First Department of Internal Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, 3)Teikyo University Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sagamiko, Japan
(Received March 5, 2010, accepted July 23, 2010)
Abstract: We tried L-arginine for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension secondary to pulmonary embolism. The plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level inversely correlated with the plasma concentration of L-arginine. After oral supplementation of L-arginine, patient's symptoms (shortness of breath and general malaise), state of congestive heart failure, and exercise capacity all improved. L-arginine may be effective in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension secondary to pulmonary embolism.
Key words: L-arginine, pulmonary hypertension, brain natriuretic peptide
尾形 浩，高橋智子，石川和信，石橋敏幸，丸山幸夫，渡邊真知子，江戸清人
Corresponding author: Hiroshi Ogata
E-mail address: h-ogapi@fmu.ac.jp
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