New Technology for the Use of Inhaled Nitric Oxide to Protect the Heart and Lungs during Operations with Cardiopulmonary Bypass

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a new technology for the use of inhaled nitric oxide (NO) for the heart and lung protection during operations with cardiopulmonary bypass (СРВ). MATERIALS AND METHODS. The study included 90 patients who underwent heart valve surgery and combined procedures under CPB and pharmacological cardioplegia. Three groups were created: group 1 (control, n=30); group 2 (n=30) — NO inhalation (20 ppm) was conducted traditionally, that is, before and after CPB; group 3 (n=30) — NO inhalation was performed using a new technology — during the entire operation, with pulmonary artery perfusion and lung ventilation performed during CPB. Troponin I (cTn I) level, changes in the pulmonary function parameters, and clinical indicators were studied. RESULTS. Statistically significant lower levels of postoperative cTn I were registered in the patients of groups 2 and 3, at the same time, the levels were significantly lower in group 3 compared to group 2. The patients in group 1 (standardized anesthesia protocol) demonstrated an increase in the alveolar-arterial oxygen difference, an increase in intrapulmonary shunting, a decrease in blood oxygenation, and static lung compliance after СРВ. In both cases, NO inhalation retained the values of lung compliance and pulmonary oxygenating function after CPB, and in the patients of group 3, it also significantly reduced intrapulmonary shunting and alveolar-arterial difference after CPB. NO inhalation allowed a statistically significant decrease in the incidence of pulmonary dysfunction, acute respiratory failure, as well as the time of respiratory support in the ICU. CONCLUSION. The developed technology for the use of inhaled NO in surgery with CPB provides a clinically marked protective effect on the heart and lungs. The effectiveness of the protective action of NO depends on the duration of its administration and is most pronounced when used during the entire operation, including CPB time.