All issues > Volume 39(11); 1996

Case Report

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 1996;39(11):1611-1619. Published online November 15, 1996.

Two Cases of Nitric Oxide Inhalation for Treatment of Severe Pulmonary Hypertension after Surgical Repair of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia

Yun Sil YS Chang¹, I-Seok IS Kang¹, Won Soon WS Park¹, Suk Koo SK Lee², Hun Hahk HH Kim², Heung Jae HJ Lee¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, Samsung Seoul Hospital, Seoul, Korea
²Department of Pediatric Surger, Samsung Seoul Hospital, Seoul, Korea

Abstract

Nitric oxide, an endothelium-derived relaxing factor, is a selective pulmonary vasodilator. We have built and settled down the delivery system of nitirc oxide gas inhalation for the first time in Korea. Two newborn babies delvelped near fatal pulmonary hypertension after surgical repair of a congenital diaphragmatic hernia. All conventional therapeutic measures failed. So we decided to attempt to use of nitric oxide gas for treatment. Addition of ntiric oxide of 1-80 parts per million to the inspired gas allowed resolution of pulmonary hypertension. No side effect of nitric oxide therapy was observed, and ventilatory support could be substantially reduced as a result of treatment and could be stopped later. On the basis of the striking and lifesaving effects of nitric oxide therapy shown in these cases, we believe that nitric oxide inhalation can be used as a major treatment modality in the management of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn.

Keywords :Nitric oxide, Congenital diaphragmatic hernia, Persistent pulmonary hypertension of newborn