[Nitric oxide inhalation in the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the role of nitric oxide (NO) in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). METHODS Ten patients with ARDS underwent Swan-Ganz catheterization and mechanical ventilation. Before and after inhalation of 35 ppmNO, hemodynamic, blood gas and DO2 parameters were examined. RESULTS After inhaling NO, mPAP and PVR were significantly reduced from 3.6 +/- 0.6 kPa to 2.7 +/- 0.5 kPa and from 32 +/- 11 kPa.s-1.L-1 to 22 +/- 9 kPa.s-1.L-1 respectively (P < 0.001). CO, BP and SVR were not significantly different (P > 0.05). Qs/Qt and P(A-a)O2 were decreased from 31% +/- 9% to 25% +/- 8% and from 37 +/- 6 kPa to 34 +/- 6 kPa respectively (P < 0.01). PaO2 and SaO2 were increased from 12 +/- 3 kPa to 15 +/- 5 kPa and from 95% +/- 3% to 96% +/- 3% respectively (P < 0.05, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION In the treatment of ARDS, inhalation of NO can have a better effect.