Inhaled Nitric Oxide Improves Physical Activity Iin Patients with Pulmonary Fibrosis At-risk for Pulmonary Hypertension

Improvements in physical activity after treatment with inhaled nitric oxide was noted in patients with pulmonary fibrosis at-risk for pulmonary hypertension, according to study results presented by Steven D. Nathan, MD, FCCP, advanced lung disease and lung transplant program, Inova Fairfax Hospital at the CHEST Annual Meeting.

In the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, patients at risk for pulmonary hypertension associated with pulmonary fibrosis on long-term oxygen therapy were given pulsed inhaled nitric oxide at 30 µg/kg based on ideal body weight per hour (n = 23) or placebo (n = 18). According to the presentation, patients had a range of pulmonary fibrosing interstitial lung diseases.

A medical grade actigraph was worn on the wrist during physical activity. Patients experienced a placebo-corrected 34% improvement in physical activity with inhaled nitric oxide during the treatment period.

Reference

Nathan SD. Late Breaking Abstracts. Presented at: CHEST Annual Meeting; October 19-23, 2019; New Orleans.