Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

We have assessed the acute effects of inhaled nitric oxide 8, 32 and 128 volumes per million (vpm) on pulmonary haemodynamics and arterial oxygenation in patients with severe acute respiratory failure. Fourteen patients requiring artificial ventilation with mean pulmonary artery pressures greater than 30 mm Hg were given inhaled nitric oxide; haemodynamic values and blood-gas tensions were measured before and after 10 min of inhalation of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide inhaled at 8, 32 and 128 vpm decreased mean pulmonary artery pressure by 1.7 (SD 2.2), 3.2 (2.6) and 3.3 (3.3) mm Hg, pulmonary vascular resistance by 20 (64), 53 (57) and 66 (54) dyn s cm-5 and increased arterial oxygen tension by 2.5 (3.6), 3.0 (5.1) and 2.9 (3.9) kPa, respectively. All changes were significant (P < 0.05 or less) except for changes in pulmonary vascular resistance at 8 vpm. The improvement in arterial oxygenation with 128 vpm was related to pulmonary vascular resistance before commencing nitric oxide. The major beneficial effect of nitric oxide in acute respiratory failure would appear to be improvement in oxygenation rather than reduction in pulmonary artery pressure. The degree of improvement in arterial oxygenation with nitric oxide was related directly to pulmonary vascular resistance before treatment.

Type

Journal article

Journal

Br J Anaesth

Publication Date

10/1994

Volume

73

Pages

499 - 502

Keywords

Acute Disease, Administration, Inhalation, Adult, Aged, Blood Pressure, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Nitric Oxide, Oxygen, Partial Pressure, Pulmonary Artery, Respiratory Insufficiency, Vascular Resistance