A Case Report of Inhaled Nitric Oxide for Transfusion-Related Acute Lung Injury

Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) is an acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) occurring during or within six hours after transfusion. On the other hand, while inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) temporarily improves arterial oxygenation with selective pulmonary vasodilation, there is no evidence of mortality reduction in ARDS. We herein report a case in which TRALI was diagnosed with severe hypoxemia during cardiovascular surgery, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was avoided by using iNO for respiratory management. Administering iNO to patients with acute respiratory failure may be useful as a bridging therapy to help patients recover. However, further evidence is needed before this treatment can become standard practise.