Endothelium derived relaxing factor (EDRF) has been identified as nitric oxide, synthesised from the amino acid L-arginine, a process which is inhibited by the L-arginine analogue NG-monomethyl L-arginine (L-NMMA). We have studied the effect of local infusions of L-NMMA on venous reactivity in healthy volunteers. Studies were performed using the veins on the back of the hand. The diameter of a ...

There has been much interest in the published reports as to the extent to which measured left ventricular diastolic properties are affected by the pericardium. In this study observations were made on 24 patients, seven days after cardiopulmonary bypass. Left ventricular dimensions were measured from echocardiographic recordings and left ventricular diastolic pressure assessed from measurements ...

Inhalation of nitric oxide (NO) causes selective pulmonary vasodilation, but demands continuous supply of the gaseous agent. We investigated the suitability of aerosolization of NO-donor drugs for achieving sustained reduction of pulmonary vascular tone. In buffer-perfused rabbit lungs, stable pulmonary hypertension was achieved by continuous infusion of the thromboxane-analogue U46619. The NO-...

To evaluate possible disorders of regional myocardial blood flow in patients with chest pain syndromes and normal coronary arteriograms, we studied 21 patients with intracoronary injections of Xenon-133. Thirteen patients were restudied during an intervention: 6 patients received glyceryl trinitrate and 7 patients had contrast agent-induced hyperaemia. Patients were divided into 3 clinical grou...

BACKGROUND Extensor tendinosis ("tennis elbow") is a degenerative overuse tendinopathy of the wrist extensors at their attachment to the lateral humeral epicondyle. No treatment has been universally successful. Topical application of nitric oxide has been used effectively to treat fractures and cutaneous wounds in animal models, presumably by stimulation of collagen synthesis in fibroblasts. ...

BACKGROUND Patients who undergo hemodialysis experience accelerated atherosclerosis and premature death. Recent evidence suggests that endothelial dysfunction proceeds to and exacerbates atherosclerosis. It remains unknown whether hemodialysis per se causes endothelial dysfunction. METHODS AND RESULTS We evaluated endothelial function estimated by flow-mediated vasodilation during reactive hy...