Do inhaled vasodilators in ARDS make a difference?

Inhaled vasodilators have a compelling physiologic rationale in the management of critically ill patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Accordingly, early preclinical and clinical observational studies suggested that inhaled nitric oxide (NO) could substantially improve arterial oxygenation. Other laboratory investigations reported additional benefits of NO on platelet and leukocyte function. These collective findings …