Could a common heart drug protect Preemies' lungs?

NCT ID NCT03142568

Completed Disease control Sponsor: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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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.

BRONCHOPULMONARY DYSPLASIA

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

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