A 55-year-old man on ICU develops acute right heart failure secondary to massive PE. Despite heparin and thrombolysis, his RV remains severely dilated...

Question

A 55-year-old man on ICU develops acute right heart failure secondary to massive PE. Despite heparin and thrombolysis, his RV remains severely dilated. The team considers inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) to reduce pulmonary vascular resistance. Why might iNO be beneficial in acute RV failure from PE?

Accepted Answer

iNO selectively vasodilates the pulmonary vasculature, reducing RV afterload without systemic hypotension

Answer

iNO directly lyses the pulmonary embolus

Answer

iNO increases left ventricular contractility

Answer

iNO reduces oxygen consumption

Answer

iNO has anticoagulant properties

uk-fficm MCQ (SBA): RV Failure - Inhaled NO

A 55-year-old man on ICU develops acute right heart failure secondary to massive PE. Despite heparin and thrombolysis, his RV remains severely dilated. The team considers inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) to reduce pulmonary vascular resistance. Why might iNO be beneficial in acute RV failure from PE?