Therapy for lung failure using nitric oxide inhalation and surfactant replacement.

Nitric oxide inhalation and surfactant replacement therapy are relatively new concepts in the treatment of respiratory failure due to hypoxia and reperfusion injury after lung transplantation. We report on a patient in whom reperfusion injury of the lung developed after resuscitation and implantation of a biventricular assist device for sudden cardiac arrest. Lung failure developed within 12 hours after implantation of the biventricular assist device. Lung function was reestablished using combined therapy of nitric oxide and surfactant. Heart transplantation was performed successfully thereafter. This case indicates the potential role of a combined therapy of nitric oxide and surfactant in acute hypoxic lung failure.