[The effect of a nitroglycerin infusion on the hemodynamics, extravascular lung water and gas exchange in patients with adult respiratory distress syndrome].

Nine patients with adult respiratory distress syndrome, stage III, secondary to diffuse peritonitis have been examined. The patients were subject to pulmonary artery and aorta catheterization. Cardiac output, extravascular water in the lungs, the extent of pulmonary shunting were determined; pulmonary artery and aortic pressure were measured. O2 transport parameters, pulmonary capillary pressure (Pc), pressure gradient (Pc-COP) were calculated and arterial and venous blood gases as well as colloid-osmotic pressure (COP) were analysed. Selective hypotension in the pulmonary circulation was performed using an infusion of nitroglycerin solution. Despite differences in the response of patients with ARDS to nitroglycerin, when the drug was injected with optimal positive end-expiratory pressure, it promoted an increase in O2 delivery, normalization of pulmonary hemodynamics and a decrease in extravascular pulmonary water.