INHALED NITRIC-OXIDE DURING EMERGENCY NEONATAL TRANSPORTATION

Inhaled nitric oxide is currently being investigated as a selective pu lmonary vasodilator for neonates with persistent pulmonary hypertensio n. The use of continuous inhaled nitric oxide during emergency transpo rtation of three critically ill neonates with meconium aspiration and pulmonary hypertension is described. The successful application of thi s technique may allow safer transportation of neonates who require hig h level intensive care including ongoing nitric oxide, high frequency ventilation and/or extracorporeal life support. Regionally based nitri c oxide-equipped retrieval teams may relieve the pressure on smaller n eonatal intensive care units to provide inhaled nitric oxide therapy a nd allow centralization of nitric oxide resources, thus facilitating d evelopment of expertise and the completion of meaningful research prog rams with substantial recruitment.