Development of a portable mini-generator to safely produce nitric oxide for the treatment of infants with pulmonary hypertension.

OBJECTIVES

To test the safety of a novel miniaturized device that produces nitric oxide (NO) from air by pulsed electrical discharge, and to demonstrate that the generated NO can be used to vasodilate the pulmonary vasculature in rabbits with chemically-induced pulmonary hypertension.

STUDY DESIGN

A miniature NO (mini-NO) generator was tested for its ability to produce therapeutic levels (20-80 parts per million (ppm)) of NO, while removing potentially toxic gases and metal particles. We studied healthy 6-month-old New Zealand rabbits weighing 3.4 ± 0.4 kg (mean ± SD, n = 8). Pulmonary hypertension was induced by chemically increasing right ventricular systolic pressure to 28-30 mmHg. The mini-NO generator was placed near the endotracheal tube. Production of NO was triggered by a pediatric airway flowmeter during the first 0.5 s of inspiration.

RESULTS

In rabbits with acute pulmonary hypertension, the mini-NO generator produced sufficient NO to induce pulmonary vasodilation. Potentially toxic nitrogen dioxide (NO) and ozone (O) were removed by the Ca(OH) scavenger. Metallic particles, released from the electrodes by the electric plasma, were removed by a 0.22 μm filter. While producing 40 ppm NO, the mini-NO generator was cooled by a flow of air (70 ml/min) and the external temperature of the housing did not exceed 31 °C.

CONCLUSIONS

The mini-NO generator safely produced therapeutic levels of NO from air. The mini-NO generator is an effective and economical approach to producing NO for treating neonatal pulmonary hypertension and will increase the accessibility and therapeutic uses of life-saving NO therapy worldwide.