Right-to-left shunting through a patent foramen ovale in right ventricular infarction: improvement of hypoxemia and hemodynamics with inhaled nitric oxide

J Clin Anesth. 2003 Aug;15(5):371-4. doi: 10.1016/s0952-8180(03)00053-9.

Abstract

Inhaled nitric oxide is a selective pulmonary vasodilator that has been used successfully to treat hemodynamic embarrassment and right-to-left interatrial shunting in acute right heart failure. Previous reports have been in the setting of disorders causing elevated right heart afterload, such as pulmonary embolism, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Right ventricular infarction is a less common, but important cause of acute right heart failure with which the intensivist should be familiar. We report a patient with right ventricular infarction for whom cardiogenic shock and refractory hypoxemia due to right-to-left interatrial shunting were effectively treated with inhaled nitric oxide. The potential for broader application of inhaled nitric oxide as a therapy for right ventricular infarction is discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Blood Gas Analysis
  • Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / complications*
  • Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / physiopathology
  • Hemodynamics / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia / drug therapy*
  • Hypoxia / etiology*
  • Male
  • Myocardial Infarction / complications*
  • Nitric Oxide / administration & dosage
  • Nitric Oxide / therapeutic use*
  • Oxygen Consumption / drug effects
  • Vasodilator Agents / administration & dosage
  • Vasodilator Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Right / complications*
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Right / physiopathology

Substances

  • Vasodilator Agents
  • Nitric Oxide