Objective:
To investigate whether inhaled nitric oxide (INO) can prevent platelet activating factor (PAF)—induced pulmonary hypertension and shock.
Design:
Randomized controlled animal trial.
Setting:
Laboratory.
Subjects:
Yorkshire swine.
Interventions:
Animals received general anesthesia and invasive hemodynamic monitoring, then PAF only, 2.5 μg/kg intravenously over 45 minutes (PAF group, n=9) or PAF in addition to INO, 20 ppm (PAF-INO group, n=6).
Main Outcomes:
Vascular pressures (mean arterial and mean pulmonary), vascular resistance indexes (systemic and pulmonary), cardiac indexes, and oxygen delivery and oxygen consumption.
Results:
Mean arterial pressures, cardiac indexes, and oxygen delivery and consumption were significantly higher in the PAF-INO group. Mean pulmonary arterial pressures and systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance indexes were significantly lower in the PAF-INO group. There were 4 deaths (44%) in the PAF group vs none (0%) in the PAF-INO group (P=.10).
Conclusion:
The use of INO prevents pulmonary hypertension, circulatory failure, and death during PAF-induced shock.Arch Surg. 1996;131:855-860