Inhalation of nitric oxide in the treatment of SARS in Beijing

BACKGROUND: Patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) frequently suffer from hypoxemia despite supplemental oxygen and mechanical ventilator support. Inhalation of nitric oxide (INO) could improve oxygenation in intubated ARDS patients. However, whether INO has similar effect in the patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and whether INO could be administrated in adults with non-invasive ventilator support is not known yet. METHOD: Fourteen patients with severe SARS (in two ICU units) were studied. Six patients received INO (30 ppm, 3-7 d), and eight patients served as controls. Oxygen saturation, hemodynamic index, inspired oxygen fraction, and chest x-ray were studied. A 4-week follow up was made. RESULTS: In the INO group, oxygen index (.P_(aO_2)/F_(iO_2)) increased from 94 till 250 mmHg. CPAP/BiPAP could be discontinued in all four patients and PEEP lowered in the intubated patient with no decrease of arterial oxygenation. The effects were remained after INO was discontin