There were no complications associated with nitric oxide or prostacyclin.

Conclusion: In heart transplant and lung transplant recipients, nitric oxide and prostacyclin similarly reduce pulmonary artery pressures and central venous pressure, and improve cardiac index and mixed venous oxygen saturation. Inhaled prostacyclin may offer an alternative to nitric oxide in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension

in thoracic transplantation. (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2009; 138: 1417-24)”
“Blunted neurohormonal responses to serotonergic agents are found in major depression and suicidal behavior, but there have been no prospective studies of their relationship to later suicide find more attempt. In this study, healthy volunteers and depressed subjects were administered a fenfluramine (FEN) and placebo challenge test at baseline and then followed for 2 years. Seven subjects made suicide attempts within the follow-up period. Healthy volunteers, depressed non-attempters, depressed past suicide attempters, and

depressed future attempters were compared on plasma prolactin and cortisol responses, as well as on mood (Profile of Mood States; POMS) and behavioral measures that were assessed at baseline and at the end of each challenge testing day. Both past and future attempters had lower total prolactin output (area under the curve) in response learn more to FEN relative to non-patients. Future attempters had lower cortisol response relative to all other groups. All subject groups reported a decrease in POMS Fatigue subscale score and increase in finger tapping rate after receiving FEN. Depressed subjects reported a significant decline in POMS Total, Depression, and Tension/Anxiety scores, but future attempters’ did not, showing a slight mean increase. Lower cortisol response correlated with greater suicidal ideation 3 months and 1 year post-study. Logistic regression revealed that blunting of cortisol response and worsening of mood after FEN, and younger age could be used to predict later suicide attempt in the majority of cases (4/7).

Results suggest that blunted cortisol and unfavorable acute mood response to serotonergic challenge, in the context of the general activating effects of these drugs, may be a risk factor for later suicide attempt. Neuropsychopharmacology (2010) 35, 1063-1072; doi: 10.1038/npp.2008.28; published online DOK2 19 March 2008″
“Background: The purpose of this study was to compare posttransplantation morbidity and mortality in orthotopic heart transplant recipients bridged to transplant with a left ventricular assist device with nonbridged recipients. To account for potential differences across device types, we stratified bridge-to-transplant recipients by type of ventricular assist device: extracorporeal (EXTRA), paracorporeal (PARA), and intracorporeal (INTRA).

Methods: The United Network for Organ Sharing provided de-identified patient-level data.