Inhaled Nitric Oxide Therapy for the Vaso-occlusive Crisis in Sickle Cell Disease

In this placebo-controlled, double-blinded, randomized clinical trial from Children’s Hospital, Boston, the use and efficacy of inhaled nitric oxide (INO) therapy for patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) and acute painful vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) was investigated. Twenty patients with SCD and VOC were enrolled in the study. Study patients received standard emergency treatment for VOC, which included morphine and intravenous hydration. They were randomized to receive INO (80 ppm with 21% inspired oxygen concentration) by face mask or placebo (21% inspired oxygen) for a 4-hour period followed by observation for 2 …