Nitric Oxide and Impaired Oxygenation before and after Liver Transplantation
Authors: Giovanni Rolla, Luisa Brussino, Paola Colagrande
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1999)

Letters6 July 1999Nitric Oxide and Impaired Oxygenation before and after Liver TransplantationGiovanni Rolla, MD, Luisa Brussino, MD, and Paola Colagrande, MDGiovanni Rolla, MDDr. Rolla: Università di Torino; Torino, ItalyDr. Brussino: Università di Torino; Torino, ItalyDr. Colagrande: Università di Torino; Torino, ItalySearch for more papers by this author, Luisa Brussino, MDDr. Rolla: Università di Torino; Torino, ItalyDr. Brussino: Università di Torino; Torino, ItalyDr. Colagrande: Università di Torino; Torino, ItalySearch for more papers by this author, and Paola Colagrande, MDDr. Rolla: Università di Torino; Torino, ItalyDr. Brussino: Università di Torino; Torino, ItalyDr. Colagrande: Università di Torino; Torino, ItalySearch for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-131-1-199907060-00017 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail IN RESPONSE:Teramoto and colleagues question our conclusion that most cases of abnormal oxygenation in patients with cirrhosis are reversible after liver transplantation. We defined oxygenation abnormality as an increase in alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient greater than 15 mm Hg, which was present in 11 patients before and in 4 patients after liver transplantation (P < 0.05). We think our data justify this conclusion. Moreover, Battaglia and colleagues (1) have obtained similar results. That some patients with hepatopulmonary syndrome develop profound, early postoperative hypoxemia (which has been reported to improve after NO inhalation) does not contradict the postulated effect of endogenous NO in ...References1. Battaglia SE, Pretto JJ, Irving LB, Jones RM, Angus PW. Resolution of gas exchange abnormalities and intrapulmonary shunting following liver transplantation. Hepatology. 1997;25:1228-32. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. Rossaint R, Falke KJ, Lopez F, Slama K, Pison U, Zapol WM. Inhaled nitric oxide for the adult respiratory distress syndrome. N Engl J Med. 1993;328:399-405. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. Rolla G, Brussino L, Colagrande P, Dutto L, Polizzi S, Scappaticci E, et al . Exhaled nitric oxide and oxygenation abnormalities in hepatic cirrhosis. Hepatology. 1997;26:842-7. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. Sogni P, Moreau R, Gadano A, Lebrec D. The role of nitric oxide in the hyperdynamic circulatory syndrome associated with portal hypertension. J Hepatol. 1995;23:218-24. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Dr. Rolla: Università di Torino; Torino, ItalyDr. Brussino: Università di Torino; Torino, ItalyDr. Colagrande: Università di Torino; Torino, Italy PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoExhaled Nitric Oxide and Impaired Oxygenation in Cirrhotic Patients before and after Liver Transplantation Giovanni Rolla , Luisa Brussino , Paola Colagrande , Ermanno Scappaticci , Mara Morello , Serena Bergerone , Antonio Ottobrelli , Elisabetta Cerutti , Salvatore Polizzi , and Caterina Bucca Nitric Oxide and Impaired Oxygenation before and after Liver Transplantation Shinji Teramoto , Takeshi Matsuse , and Yasuyoshi Ouchi Metrics 6 July 1999Volume 131, Issue 1Page: 69KeywordsCirrhosisHypoxiaInhalationLiver transplantationLungsNitric oxideOxygenPortal hypertensionRespiratory systemVasodilation Issue Published: 6 July 1999 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 1999 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...