Dynamic changes in blood concentrations of nitrite/nitrate and methemoglobin in patients after lung transplantation during treatment with inhaled nitric oxide

Abstract

Understanding of the nitric oxide (NO) role in the pathogenesis of acute and chronic disorders of the pulmonary circulation contributed to the introduction of inhaled NO (iNO) in the complex therapy of patients after lung transplantation. Inhaled NO can form methemoglobin (MetHb) and nitrate. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between iNO and nitrite/nitrate (NOx) and MetHb levels in the blood serum of 7 patients after lung transplantation. Duration of iNO therapy was 3±1 days, the data were reviewed at 1 to 10 days after transplantation. Patients showed significant improvement of the NOx level from day 1 to 5 after surgery, meanwhile the MetHb concentration remained within the normal range. The significant positive correlations were found between iNO and NOx concentrations, between iNO and MetHb concentrations, and between NOx and MetHb concentrations. The obtained results suggest that when using iNO in patients in lung transplantation, the concentration of the administered iNO, as well as blood levels of MetHb and NOx must be closely monitored.

Keywords

• lung transplantation
• inhaled nitric oxide
• nitrite/nitrate
• methemoglobin