Single breath exhaled nitric oxide in lung transplant patients: a preliminary clinical study

Transpl Int. 1999;12(5):346-50. doi: 10.1007/s001470050238.

Abstract

Exhaled nitric oxide is considered as a marker of airway inflammation. We report here our preliminary experience with single-breath exhaled nitric oxide measured in lung transplant patients with and without bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome and in cardiac transplant patients. Peak and end-expiratory nitric oxide concentrations did not differ between groups, but single-breath exhaled nitric oxide recordings were strikingly different in patients suffering from bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome, with a slower decrease from peak to end-expiratory nitric oxide concentration. Further studies are required in order to determine whether theses abnormalities reflect the inflammatory process of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Breath Tests*
  • Bronchiolitis Obliterans / diagnosis*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Nitric Oxide / analysis*

Substances

  • Nitric Oxide