Feasibility of nitric oxide administration by oxygen hood in neonatal pulmonary hypertension.

Abstract

To test the hemodynamic efficacy and feasibility of nitric oxide (NO) administration by oxygen hood in neonatal pulmonary hypertension. A double-hood apparatus was used in which a combination of NO, O(2), and N(2) was introduced into the inner hood and suctioned from the outer hood. Chronically instrumented non-intubated piglets were exposed to 10% O(2) (hypoxia; n=8) or group B streptococci infusion (GBS; n=5) to produce pulmonary hypertension and were then exposed to 20 ppm NO. NO decreased (>50%) pulmonary artery pressure and vascular resistance in both hypoxia- and GBS-induced pulmonary hypertension, with minimal effects on systemic arterial pressure and cardiac output. NO administration could be performed without detectable environmental leakage. Hood NO administration is feasible and shows hemodynamic efficacy in neonatal piglets with pulmonary hypertension.