• Many infants w/cyanotic heart disease only survive w/early surgical intervention
• The most rapid & effective first-line therapy for stabilization of the crashing neonate is IV prostaglandin E1 (PGE1)
• PGE1 serves to reopen the ductus arteriosus allowing partially desaturated systemic arterial blood to enter the pulmonary artery and be oxygenated
• The widespread use of this agent has profoundly decreased morbidity & mortality 
• The initial dose of PGE1 is 0.1 mg/kg/min
• ADR for PGE1 include: apnea, hypotension, edema, and low grade fever

References