1. [Pharmacologic treatment of hypoxemia in adult respiratory distress syndrome].
- Author
-
Gallart L, Rouby JJ, and Puig MM
- Subjects
- Adult, Almitrine therapeutic use, Contraindications, Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors therapeutic use, Drug Monitoring methods, Epoprostenol therapeutic use, Humans, Nitric Oxide pharmacology, Nitric Oxide therapeutic use, Nitric Oxide Synthase antagonists & inhibitors, Pulmonary Circulation drug effects, Pulmonary Gas Exchange drug effects, Respiratory System Agents pharmacology, Vasodilator Agents therapeutic use, Hypoxia drug therapy, Respiratory Distress Syndrome complications, Respiratory System Agents therapeutic use
- Abstract
New drugs that improve arterial oxygenation (nitric oxide, almitrine, inhaled prostacyclin and cyclooxygenase inhibitors) are useful in the treatment of severe hypoxemia unresponsive to conventional treatment that is mainly seen in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). By acting selectively on pulmonary blood flow and redistributing it, these drugs achieve effects unattainable until now. Thus, they decrease perfusion in non-ventilated zones (V/Q = O) responsible for shunt, or increase perfusion in well ventilated zones, guaranteeing adequate oxygenation. To apply these drugs the physician must understand their mechanism of action, guidelines for dosing, constraints on their use and side effects.
- Published
- 1997