CURRENT STATUS OF INHALED NITRIC-OXIDE THERAPY IN THE PERINATAL-PERIOD

The recent discovery of nitric oxide (NO) and the elucidation of its b iological roles has been accompanied by significant advances in our un derstanding of several physiological and pathological processes. Impai red NO synthesis and/or release may underlie the pathophysiology of se veral cardiopulmonary disorders characterised by hypoxemia and pulmona ry hypertension. Inhaled NO produces selective pulmonary vasodilation and appears to be an effective new therapy for infants with pulmonary vasospasm or hypoxemia associated with ventilation-perfusion imbalance . Although formal reports from current randomised and controlled clini cal trials of inhaled NO therapy are awaited, preliminary results sugg est an improved outcome. NO is, however, still an investigational drug . The limitations of this therapy and its toxicology are reviewed. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.