Kh. Lee et al., LOW-LEVELS OF NITRIC-OXIDE AS CONTAMINANT IN-HOSPITAL COMPRESSED-AIR - PHYSIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE, Critical care medicine, 25(7), 1997, pp. 1143-1146
Objectives: To determine whether the levels of nitric oxide found in h
ospital compressed air have a clinically relevant effect on oxygenatio
n in intubated patients with normal lungs, Design: Prospective study,
Setting: Cardiothoracic and surgical intensive care unit in a universi
ty hospital, Patients: Twelve postoperative patients receiving mechani
cal ventilation, Interventions: Pure nitrogen and oxygen were substitu
ted for hospital compressed air as a source of blending for correct FI
O2. Measurements and Main Results: Hemodynamics and Pao(2) were measur
ed in nitrogen and oxygen used for blending oxygen during stable FIO2
levels, Inhaled nitric oxide was measured with a nitric oxide-chemilum
inescence detector. There was no clinically relevant change in systemi
c hemodynamics, However, the Pao(2) decreased significantly when nitro
gen was used for blending, Inhaled nitric oxide levels varied from 2 t
o 550 parts per billion during use of hospital compressed air; no nitr
ic oxide was detectable during use of nitrogen, Conclusions: The low c
oncentration of nitric oxide in hospital compressed air improves oxyge
nation in patients with normal lungs receiving mechanical ventilation.