Inhaled Milrinone Use in Patients Receiving HeartMate II LVAD: A Pilot Study

1 mg/ml milrinone (dissolved in dextrose) and diluted in 0.9% normal saline in a 1:1 ratio to final drug concentration of 0.5mg/ml will be delivered via an IV pump at a fixed dose of 12 ml/hour which will run into a vibrating mesh nebulizer reservoir, connected to the mechanical ventilator circuit. Inhaled milrinone will begin at time of resumption of mechanical ventilation when initiating wean from cardiopulmonary bypass after LVAD implantation in the operating room, and run continuously for a total maximum duration of 24 hours OR until the patient is extubated whichever occurs first. Plasma milrinone levels will be assessed to determine if systemic milrinone absorption occurs after prolonged milrinone inhalation.

0.5 mg/ml inhaled nebulized milrinone deliver at 12 ml/hr continuously until either 24 hours or extubated.