Nitric Oxide Modulation of Pulmonary Blood Flow Distribution in Lobar Hypoxia

Abstract

By various combinations of nitric oxide inhalation and intravenous administration of an nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, lobar blood flow and arterial oxygenation could be markedly altered during lobar hypoxia. In particular, the combination of intravenous L-NAME and nitric oxide inhalation to the hyperoxic regions almost abolished perfusion of the hypoxic lobe and resulted in a PaO2 that equalled the prehypoxic values. This possibility of adjusting regional blood flow and thereby of improving PaO2 may be of value in the treatment of patients undergoing one-lung ventilation and of patients with acute respiratory failure.