BACKGROUND:
Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) has been used for treatment of acute respiratory failure and pulmonary hypertension since 1991 in adult patients in the perioperative setting and in critical care.
METHODS:
This contribution assesses evidence for the use of iNO in this population as presented to a expert group jointly organised by the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine and the European Association of Cardiothoracic Anaesthesiologists.
CONCLUSIONS:
Expert recommendations on the use of iNO in adults were agreed on following presentation of the evidence at the expert meeting held in June 2004.
