[Patients with acute adult respiratory distress syndrome: effects of inhaled nitric oxide on gas exchange and hemodynamics].
BACKGROUND
Adult respiratory distress syndrome is highly prevalent in intensive care units and has a high mortality. Lately, nitric oxide has been used as adjuvant therapy.


OBJECTIVE
To study the effects of nitric oxide inhalation in patients with adult respiratory distress syndrome.


METHODS
Twelve patients with adult respiratory distress syndrome, were subjected to nitric oxide inhalation at a concentration of 10 parts per million, during 30 minutes.


RESULTS
At the end of the nitric oxide inhalation period, there was an improvement of PaO2/FIO2 ratio from 89 +/- 32 to 111 +/- 43 mm Hg and a 16% reduction of lung shunting (Qs/Qt).


CONCLUSIONS
Nitric oxide inhalation at a concentration of 10 parts per million improved arterial oxygenation and reduced pulmonary shunting in patients with adult respiratory distress syndrome.
Andresen
M
M
Unidade de Tratamiento Intensivo Médico, Hospital Clínico de la P Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago de Chile.
Castillo
L
L
Dougnac
A
A
Carvallo
C
C
Hernández
G
G
Dagnino
J
J
Díaz
O
O
Bugedo
G
G
Arriagada
D
D
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011659:Pulmonary Gas Exchange / Q000187:drug effects*; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000187:drug effects
D009569:Nitric Oxide