• Claire Westrope, Neil Roberts, Sanjiv Nichani, Carmel Hunt, Giles J Peek, and Richard Firmin.
• Heartlink ECMO Centre, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, UK.
• Pediatr Crit Care Me. 2004 Nov 1;5(6):542-6.

ObjectiveTo share our experience with the use of inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) during the transport of ventilated neonates and children to an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) center and to discuss the efficacy and safety of iNO use in this situation.Data SourcesCase note review of 55 consecutive patients transported while receiving iNO to Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, UK, for consideration of ECMO.Study SelectionRetrospective case note review.Data ExtractionThe clinical condition of each patient recorded at arrival of the transport team at the referring hospital, during transport, and at arrival at Glenfield Hospital. Preclinical and postclinical conditions were compared using the paired Student's t-test.Data SynthesisOverall data showed a significant improvement in transcutaneous oximetry measurements (Spo(2): 84.8% preclinical, 90.6% postclinical; p = .006) and Pao(2) (59 torr [7.87 kPa] preclinical, 84 torr [11.23 kPa] postclinical; p = .001) during transport in our patient group. Based on limited safety data, no untoward events or toxic metabolites were observed with iNO therapy during transport.ConclusionsiNO does appear to improve oxygenation during transfer of patients for ECMO in our series. Based on limited safety data, iNO appears safe to use in transport.

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