Could a common heart drug protect Preemies' lungs?

NCT ID NCT03142568

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested whether sildenafil, a drug used for high blood pressure in the lungs, is safe for premature infants at risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a serious chronic lung disease. 109 babies born before 29 weeks and needing breathing support were given either sildenafil or a placebo. Researchers tracked side effects and measured how the drug moved through the body to see if it might help prevent lung damage.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

sildenafil (also known as Revatio)

What this could lead to

If sildenafil is found safe and effective, it could offer a new way to prevent or reduce lung damage in premature babies, potentially lowering the risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

What could go wrong

This is an early Phase 2 safety study with only 109 infants, so results are preliminary. Sildenafil may not prove effective in larger trials, and side effects like retinopathy of prematurity remain a concern.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

bronchopulmonary dysplasia

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Children's Hospital of Nevada at UMC

    Las Vegas, Nevada, 89106, United States

  • Cohen Children's Medical Center of NY

    New Hyde Park, New York, 11040, United States

  • Golisano Children's Hospital - University of Rochester Medical Center

    Rochester, New York, 14642, United States

  • Health Sciences Centre Hospital

    Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3A 1R9, Canada

  • Monmouth Medical Center

    Long Branch, New Jersey, 07740, United States

  • Ochsner Baptist Medical Center

    New Orleans, Louisiana, 70115, United States

  • University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

    Little Rock, Arkansas, 72205, United States

  • University of Florida College of Medicine Jacksonville-Wolfson Children's Hospital

    Jacksonville, Florida, 32209, United States

  • University of Florida Jacksonville Shands Medical Center

    Jacksonville, Florida, 32209, United States

  • University of Illinois at Chicago

    Chicago, Illinois, 60612, United States

  • University of Kentucky

    Lexington, Kentucky, 40356, United States

  • University of Mississippi Medical Center

    Jackson, Mississippi, 39216, United States

  • University of Oklahoma

    Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73104, United States

  • WakeMed Health and Hospitals

    Raleigh, North Carolina, 27610, United States

  • Wesley Medical Center

    Wichita, Kansas, 67214, United States