The effect of inhaled nitric oxide on splanchnic perfusion in a neonatal piglet model

As shown in previous studies, there are extrapulmonary effects of inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) on tissue perfusion; this study specifically validates this by evaluating oxygenation of the gut. iNO increases splanchnic tissue oxygenation to cerebral levels. This preclinical research establishes improvement in intestinal oxygenation with iNO use in contrast to other studies proposing iNO as a potential contributor to the development of NEC in the setting of cardiac defects. This study suggests that iNO could be a potential therapeutic agent in ischemic intestinal conditions.