Addition of inhaled nitric oxide to the treatment options available to an acute neonatal transport service

Licensed for use with term and near-term neonates suffering acute hypoxic respiratory failure, the pulmonary vasodilator inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) is used to reduce pulmonary hypertension and improve oxygenation. It is administered in the form of a gas added to ventilator circuits. Patients receiving iNO can suffer severe rebound effects if it is stopped and therefore it needs to be continued in transit when patients receiving it are moved between hospitals. This article discusses the issues involved with using iNO in transit and describes the setting up of mobile iNO capability for the transport service of a neonatal network.