Effects of inhaled nitric oxide on primary graft dysfunction in lung transplantation.

Introduction and Objectives. Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) is a gaseous drug with known properties of specific pulmonary vasodilation and improved oxygenation. In some clinical trials on lung transplantation (LT) in animals, it has been demonstrated to reduce primary graft dysfunction (PGD) by limiting neutrophil adhesion and the inflammatory cascade. Our objective was to assess whether iNO showed this immunomodulatory effect by determining interleukin (IL)-6, -8, and -10 levels in blood and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in LT patients, and its relationship with PGD incidence. Materials and Methods. Forty-nine LT patients were recruited and included in the iNO or in the control group. Patients …