Inhaled Nitric Oxide Versus Intravenous Vasodilators in Severe Pulmonary Hypertension After Cardiac Surgery

Abstract
In a prospective, randomized crossover study of inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) versus IV vasodilators, performed in adult patients with severe pulmonary hypertension but preserved right ventricular function after cardiac surgery, iNO was not superior to IV prostaglandin E1 with regard to cardiac index and right ventricular performance. Considering the potential toxicity of iNO, better definition of patient subsets with a positive benefit/risk ratio is warranted.