Poractant alfa
Poractant alfa is a pulmonary surfactant sold under the brand name Curosurf by Chiesi Farmaceutici. Poractant alfa is an extract of natural porcine lung surfactant.
Pharmacology[edit | edit source]
- Poractant alfa is measured into vials of 80 mg of surfactant (extract) that includes 76 mg of phospholipids and 1 mg of protein of which 0.2 mg is surfactant protein B (SP-B).
- The amount of phospholipids is calculated from the content of phosphorus and contains 55 mg of phosphotidylcholine of which 30 mg is dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine.
Considerations[edit | edit source]
Pulmonary hemorrhage[edit | edit source]
Pulmonary hemorrhage is a known complication of premature birth and very low birth-weight.
Other adverse effects[edit | edit source]
Transient episodes of bradycardia, decreased oxygen saturation, hypotension, or endotracheal tube blockage may occur.
Mechanism of action[edit | edit source]
- Endogenous pulmonary surfactant reduces surface tension at the air-liquid interface of the alveoli during mechanical ventilation and stabilizes the alveoli against collapse at resting transpulmonary pressures.[1]
A deficiency of pulmonary surfactant in preterm infants results in respiratory distress syndrome. Poractant alfa compensates for the surfactant deficiency and restores surface activity to the lung tissue.
Pharmacodynamics[edit | edit source]
Currently there is no human pharmacokinetic information available, only animal models have been published.
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Ainsworth SB, Beresford MW, Milligan DW, et al, “Pumactant and Poractant Alfa for Treatment of Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Neonates Born at 25-29 Weeks' Gestation: A Randomised Trial, Lancet, 2000, 355(9213):1387-92.
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