What role does alprostadil (PGE1) play in infants with right ventricular obstruction?

Alprostadil, which is a synthetic form of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), plays a crucial role in maintaining the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in infants with right ventricular outflow obstruction, such as in cases of congenital heart defects like Tetralogy of Fallot.

In these conditions, the right ventricle may struggle to pump blood into the pulmonary artery due to the obstruction. The PDA allows for blood shunting between the aorta and the pulmonary artery, providing an alternative pathway for blood to reach the lungs for oxygenation. By maintaining the PDA open, alprostadil ensures that blood flow can bypass the area of obstruction and improve oxygen delivery throughout the body. Therefore, the primary therapeutic function of alprostadil in this specific context is to keep the ductus arteriosus patent, which is vital for stabilizing the infant's hemodynamics until further intervention can be performed.

The other options listed do not accurately describe the primary function of alprostadil in this clinical scenario. While alprostadil may have other effects, its critical role in maintaining the PDA is what makes it essential for infants with right ventricular obstruction.