Objectives: To investigate the clinical characteristics of children with high altitude heart disease in Western Tibet and the clinical efficacy and safety of alprostadil targeted therapy. Methods: A total of 50 children with high altitude heart disease admitted into the pediatrics of People’s Hospital of Shigatse from Jan. to Oct. 2018 were extracted to be randomly divided into the observation group and the control group

with 25 cases in each group. The control group was given conventional treatment such as bed rest; if necessary

sedation

oxygen inhalation

infection control

diuresis of reducing heart load

correction of water electrolyte acid-base balance disorder were given. Children in the observation group were given intravenous alprostadil (Kashi) from 5 to 10 ng/(h·kg) for 12 h on the basis of conventional treatment

for the continuous period of 7 to 15 d. Before and after treatment

changes in hemodynamics and echocardiography were recorded. Results: After treatment

the decrease of pulmonary artery pressure and the increase of cardiac ultrasound index in the observation group were greater than those in the control group (P<0.05)

and there was no significant change in mean body arterial pressure before and after treatment (P>0.05). No significant adverse drug reactions were observed. Conclusion: High altitude heart disease is a kind of common heart disease in children in western Tibet

and respiratory infection is the common predisposing factors. For children with high altitude heart disease

alprostadil can effectively decrease the pulmonary artery pressure and improve cardiac function

without any adverse drug reactions. The therapy has higher safety according to the preliminary evaluation.