Treatment for Eisenmenger Syndrome

Treatment for Eisenmenger Syndrome

Specific treatment for Eisenmenger syndrome will be determined by your doctor based on:

• Age, overall health, and medical history
• Rate of progression and extent of the disease
• Tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
• Expectations for the course of the disease
• Personal opinion or preference

The goals of treatment for Eisenmenger syndrome are aimed at decreasing the pulmonary artery pressure, improving oxygenation, and decreasing degree of cyanosis and erythrocytosis.

Treatment methods may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Long-term outlook with Eisenmenger syndrome

Some individuals with Eisenmenger syndrome who have no other health complications may live into middle adulthood, and a few may survive into the fifth or sixth decade of life.

Considerations related to Eisenmenger syndrome include, but are not limited to, the following:

•  Pregnancy is not recommended for females of childbearing age with Eisenmenger syndrome. Pregnancy may pose a high risk of death for the mother as well as complications for the fetus due to effects of low oxygen levels in the blood.
• Any anesthesia and surgery is considered high risk and should be carefully planned. Collaboration with a cardiac specialist is recommended.
• Air travel and high altitude exposure requires adequate hydration (fluid intake) and supplemental oxygen to prevent complications.
• Severe headache, dizziness, syncope (fainting), or changes in level of consciousness should be taken seriously and evaluated emergently.
• Smoking and alcohol intake are not recommended.
  
• Coughing should be controlled or prevented with a strong suppressant medication to prevent risk of pulmonary hemorrhage (bleeding from the lungs).
• Flu shots are recommended annually, and pneumococcal vaccine should be received according to the doctor's recommendation.