Inhaled Nitric Oxide

Abstract

In this chapter, we describe the development of inhaled NO as a therapeutic strategy to increase pulmonary vascular NO and cGMP concentrations. Inhaled NO induces pulmonary vasodilation without the side effects of systemic hypotension or hypoxemia. An overview of how inhaled NO elicits its effects is provided, and alternate approaches to increasing pulmonary NO and cGMP concentrations are considered. Several of the clinical applications of inhaled NO are presented, as is a discussion of the methods required for the safe administration of NO gas. Finally, we present experimental and clinical observations highlighting the potential applications of inhaled NO to the treatment of systemic vascular diseases.