title: [Pharmacologic treatment of hypoxemia in adult respiratory distress syndrome].
abstract: New drugs that improve arterial oxygenation (nitric oxide, almitrine, inhaled prostacyclin and cyclooxygenase inhibitors) are useful in the treatment of severe hypoxemia unresponsive to conventional treatment that is mainly seen in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). By acting selectively on pulmonary blood flow and redistributing it, these drugs achieve effects unattainable until now. Thus, they decrease perfusion in non-ventilated zones (V/Q = O) responsible for shunt, or increase perfusion in well ventilated zones, guaranteeing adequate oxygenation. To apply these drugs the physician must understand their mechanism of action, guidelines for dosing, constraints on their use and side effects.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Anestesiología y Reanimación, Hospital Universitari del Mar., Barcelona. 88143@IMAS.IMIM.ES
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gallart
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Rouby
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Puig
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015765:Almitrine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000075202:Contraindications; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D011464:Epoprostenol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D011652:Pulmonary Circulation / Q000187:drug effects; D011659:Pulmonary Gas Exchange / Q000187:drug effects; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D019141:Respiratory System Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D019141:Respiratory System Agents; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D015765:Almitrine; D011464:Epoprostenol; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase