Nitric oxide improves transpulmonary vascular mechanics but does not change intrinsic right ventricular contractility in an acute respiratory distress syndrome model with permissive hypercapnia

Abstract

Inhaled nitric oxide ameliorated any negative effects of hypoxic and hypercapnic pulmonary vasoconstriction. The beneficial effects of inhaled nitric oxide are related to alterations in right ventricular afterload and not intrinsic right ventricular contractility. The improved cardiopulmonary effects of inhaled nitric oxide with permissive hypercapnia potentially expand the use of nitric oxide in ARDS and other conditions in which this strategy is employed.