[Inhaled nitric oxide in the peroperative period and recovery]

To analyse the current knowledge concerning use of inhaled NO (iNO) in anaesthesia and intensive care.

References were obtained from Medline, recent review articles, the library of the department and personal files.

All categories of articles on this topic have been selected.

Articles have been analysed for history, biochemistry, pharmacology, toxicity and clinical use of iNO.

Nitric oxide (NO) is a potent endothelium-dependent vasodilator. Because of its selective action on pulmonary circulation and the lack of effect on the systemic circulation due to its inactivation by haemoglobin, iNO has been presented as a new therapeutic agent in most diseases with pulmonary hypertension. During heart transplantation or surgical correction of congenital heart disease, iNO decreases pulmonary hypertension and improves altered right ventricular function. Studies included however small numbers of patients. Preliminary pharmacological studies demonstrated that iNO was able to decrease pulmonary hypertension and improve systemic oxygenation in adult respiratory distress syndrome. To date, none of the three multicentric studies performed was able to show any significant effect on duration of mechanical ventilation, morbidity or mortality. Finally, the sole demonstrated indication for iNO which remains is the persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn. Two multicentric studies have evidenced an improvement in systemic oxygenation and a reduced need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. In these two studies global mortality was however unchanged.

Persistent pulmonary hypertension is the sole demonstrated indication for iNO. Inhaled nitric oxide may be efficient in pulmonary hypertension, right ventricular dysfunction and severe hypoxemia. Inhaled nitric oxide must be considered as a rescue therapy or needs to be part of research protocols.