Inhaled nitric oxide in the treatment of persistent pulmonary hypertension/ hypoxic respiratory failure in neonates: an update.

Persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) and subsequent hypoxic respiratory failure is seen in association with numerous diseases and conditions in the neonate. This includes infections such as group B streptococcus, meconium aspiration syndrome, perinatal asphyxia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, congenital heart disease, and as an idiopathic phenomenon. Conventional therapy of persistent pulmonary hypertension is discussed, as well as integrated with current treatment modalities such as surfactant replacement therapy and high frequency ventilation. The molecular action of nitric oxide including its relationship to neonatal cardiopulmonary transition at birth and the human neonatal clinical experience with term infants from 1992 to the present is explored. Also, the current use of inhaled nitric oxide in preterm infants is reviewed. Additionally, the follow-up of infants treated with inhaled nitric oxide is summarized, and novel therapies including inhaled prostacyclin and other pulmonary vasodilators such as sildenafil are introduced.

Current management of congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a medical conundrum that challenges the physicians who care for these patients. Despite early prenatal diagnosis and optimal medical management, the results are disappointing. This lack of consistent success leaves the clinician frustrated. We present the current status of fetal surgery and novel approaches to ventilation as well as other unusual therapeutic approaches. Two cases are presented and a summary of our 11-year experience with CDH is reviewed. We conclude with complications and long-term outcomes.

Update on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) consists of the application of intermediate-term cardiopulmonary bypass for the treatment of potentially reversible heart and/or lung failure in the neonate, child, and adult. Applications in the neonate include congenital diaphragmatic hernia, pulmonary hypertension, meconium aspiration syndrome, and pre- and post-operative congenital heart surgery support. In the older child, myocarditis, infections, and respiratory failure (RSV and ARDS) are the most frequent indications, in addition to peri-operative cardiac surgical support. A review of the institutional experiences at the University of Louisville spanning a 15-year period and comparison international data will be presented, along with a pertinent review of the literature. Technical considerations, complications, and long-term outcomes will be reviewed, and the potential interface between ECMO and other, less invasive technologies, i.e., high-frequency ventilation, replacement surfactant, and nitric oxide, will be discussed.

Status report: inhaled nitric oxide in persistent pulmonary hypertension/hypoxic respiratory failure of neonate.

Persistent pulmonary hypertension is seen in association with a number of diseases and conditions in the newborn including perinatal asphyxia, meconium aspiration syndrome, Group B strep sepsis, and certain surgical conditions such as congenital diaphragmatic hernia. The conventional therapy of persistent pulmonary hypertension is discussed as well as the adjunctive role of surfactant replacement therapy and high frequency ventilation. The mechanism of action of inhaled nitric oxide as a selective pulmonary vasodilator is explained. Human neonatal clinical experience is chronicled from the original studies of Roberts in 1992 and Kinsella in 1993. A review of three large prospective randomized trials of nitric oxide is presented as well as a summary of new areas of investigation including the use of nitric oxide in pre-term infants and the use of nitric oxide in the prevention of chronic lung disease. Current dosing recommendations are presented as well as guidelines recently published from the American Academy of Pediatrics. A review of follow up literature in relationship to patients receiving inhaled nitric oxide is also summarized.