INHALED NITRIC-OXIDE IN ACUTE RESPIRATORY-DISTRESS SYNDROME

Background: Inhaled nitric oxide has been shown to improve oxygenation in select patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), O bjective: The purpose of this study nas to evaluate the clinical respo nse to four concentrations of inhaled nitric oxide (NO) in 20 patients with ARDS. Methods: All patients with ARDS were eligible for the stud y. ARDS was defined as (1) the presence of a predisposing factor; (2) a Pao(2)/Fio(2) ratio < 200; (3) bilateral infiltrates on chest radiog raph: and (4) absence of evidence of congestive heart failure and pulm onary artery a edge pressure < 18 mm Hg. Patients received each of fou r doses (1, 15, 30, and 60 ppm) in random order, each for a 3-hour per iod, Cardiovascular variables were continuously monitored, and arteria l and mixed venous blood gas measurements were obtained at 30 minutes and 3 hours.