title: Inhaled vasodilator therapy for treatment of acute lung injury.
abstract: In randomized controlled trials, inhaled nitric oxide failed to provide significant clinical benefit in patients with acute lung injury. Despite temporary improvement in oxygenation, inhaled nitric oxide neither improved survival, nor decreased length of mechanical ventilation. Thus, with the exception of severe hypoxaemia refractory to conventional therapy, inhaled nitric oxide is not indicated in patients with acute lung injury. Inhalation of prostacyclin and prostaglandin E1, respectively, has been associated with an improvement in oxygenation and a decrease in pulmonary artery pressure. Prospective randomized trials are warranted to assess the impact of inhaled prostaglandins on the outcome of patients with acute lung injury.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Anästhesiologie und operative Intensivmedizin, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany. meyerj@uni-muenster.de
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Booke