Exposure to 40 p.p.m. iNO in healthy anaesthetized piglets has a transient natriuretic effect that disappears after 12 h. We also found evidence of renal tubular apoptosis promotion after 30 h of iNO.

Prolonged exposure to iNO at 40[Symbol: see text]ppm did not affect bleeding time or coagulation parameters in healthy piglets. The findings do not support the hypothesis that iNO increases the risk of bleeding in humans.

ObjectiveIt has previously been shown that a combination of inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) and intravenous (IV) steroid attenuates endotoxin-induced organ damage in a 6-hour porcine endotoxemia model. We aimed to further explore these effects in a 30-hour model with attention to clinically important variables.DesignRandomized controlled trial.SettingUniversity animal laboratory.SubjectsDomestic piglets (n = 30).InterventionsAnimals were randomized into 5 groups (n = 6 each): 1) Controls, 2) LPS-only (endotoxin/lipopolysaccharide (LPS) infusion), 3) LPS + iNO, 4) LPS + IV steroid, 5) LPS + iNO + IV steroid.Measurements and Main ResultsExposure to LPS temporarily increased pulmonary artery mean pressure and impeded renal function with elevated serum creatinine and acidosis compared to a control group over the 30-hour study period. Double treatment with both iNO and IV steroid tended to blunt the deterioration in renal function, although the only significant effect was on Base Excess (p = 0.045). None of the LPS + iNO + IV steroid treated animals died during the study period, whereas one animal died in each of the other LPS-infused groups.ConclusionsThis study suggests that combined early therapy with iNO and IV steroid is associated with partial protection of kidney function after 30 hours of experimental LPS infusion.

To avoid the drawbacks of systemic anticoagulation during prolonged extracorporeal circulation in patients with adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) a heparinization technique has been developed by which partially degraded heparin can be covalently end-point attached to the surface of the equipment constituting the extracorporeal circuit (Carmeda Bio-Active Surface, CBAS) thereby localizing the anticoagulatory effert. Since 1986 we have used extracorporeal circuits and membrane lungs coated with the CBAS for extracorporeal lung assistance (ECLA) in 14 patients suffering from ARDS. The patients were on ECLA for 3 to 55 days with a survival rate of43%. Our experience so far is that by using equipment coated with CBAS it is possible to perform long-term extracorporeal circulation with a minimum of intravenously administered heparin, thus avoiding the risk of major coagulation defects.