title: Nitric oxide: lifesaving measure for pulmonary vasospasm after modified Blalock-Taussig shunt.
abstract: Pulmonary vasospasm and hypertension may occur after repair or palliation of congenital cardiac defects, and can be fatal in spite of conventional treatment. Nitric oxide has been shown to improve pulmonary hypertension unresponsive to conventional measures after a variety of repairs, but use has infrequently been reported after palliative systemic to pulmonary artery shunts. We report a case of pulmonary hypertension and life threatening desaturation after a modified Blalock-Taussig shunt that responded rapidly to inhaled nitric oxide. Clinical use, further study, and prospective analysis of prophylactic use of nitric oxide appear warranted.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, 35226, USA.
authors.forename: Rajeev
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gulati
authors.forename: William A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Lell
authors.forename: Albert D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Pacifico
authors.forename: Walter H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Edward V
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Colvin
authors.forename: Ashwani
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bhardwaj
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D003330:Coronary Vessel Anomalies / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007223:Infant; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010166:Palliative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000187:drug effects / Q000601:surgery*; D013348:Subclavian Artery / Q000601:surgery; D013771:Tetralogy of Fallot / Q000601:surgery*; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D009569:Nitric Oxide