AEROSOLIZED PROSTACYCLIN IN ADULT-RESPIRATORY-DISTRESS-SYNDROME

We studied the effects of aerosolised prostacyclin (PGI2) in three pat ients with acute severe adult respiratory distress syndrome. 17-50 ng/ kg per min, nebulised into the afferent limb of the ventilator circuit , decreased mean pulmonary artery pressure (SEM) from 40.3 (13.5) to 3 2.0 (3.8) mm Hg (pulmonary vascular resistance fell by 30%); systemic arterial pressure decreased slightly from 76.8 (2.2) to 74.5 (6.1) mm Hg. Concomitantly, the ratio of arterial oxygen partial pressure to th e fraction of inspired oxygen increased from 120 (19) to 173 (18), mai nly due to redistribution of blood flow from shunt areas to regions of normal ventilation-perfusion. All effects were reversed on drug withd rawal.