Nitric oxide for the treatment of postpneumonectomy pulmonary edema

Inhaled nitric oxide, a selective pulmonary vasodilator, has been used to i mprove arterial oxygenation in adult respiratory distress syndrome. To our knowledge, it has not been successfully used to treat this syndrome after m ajor lung resection. We used nitric oxide to treat postpneumonectomy pulmon ary edema with immediate and sustained improvement in oxygenation. The pati ent was successfully weaned from nitric oxide and extubated after 3 days of supportive therapy. (C) 2001 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.