INHALED AEROSOLIZED PROSTACYCLIN AND NITRIC-OXIDE AS SELECTIVE PULMONARY VASODILATORS IN ARDS - A PILOT-STUDY

Nitric oxide IO ppm and inhaled aerosolized prostacyclin 50 ng/kg/min were compared as selective pulmonary vasodilators in five patients wit h hypoxaemia secondary to acute respiratory distress syndrome, Neither agent resulted in systemic haemodynamic changes, indicating true pulm onary selectivity. inhaled aerolized prostacyclin improved oxygenation to a degree comparable to nitric oxide, as measured by the arterial a lveolar oxygen partial pressure gradient and shunt fraction.