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Science & Technology
Clinical trial to investigate nitric oxide for COVID-19 treatment
2020-04-12
h/t Instapundit
[UPI] - Doctors at the University of Alabama at Birmingham are enrolling patients in an international clinical trial to find out if inhaled nitric oxide benefits those with COVID-19 who have severely damaged lungs.

Right now, there are no approved treatments for the illness caused by the new coronavirus. A severe form of lung failure called acute respiratory distress syndrome is the leading cause of death in COVID-19.
Whatever happened to "virus binds to hemoglobin" theory - somebody realized that, if it were true, we'd see effects in extremities first?
When lungs are failing, air is received by some parts of them but not others. Nitric oxide is a gas that improves blood flow in areas of the lungs that are getting air, increasing the amount of oxygen in the blood stream.

Nitric oxide also reduces the workload of the right side of the heart, which is under extreme stress during lung failure.
In the end we'll have dozens of treatments. Maybe even be ready the next time Chinese bio-wizards are careless - they're malicious all the time.
Posted by:g(r)omgoru

#10  "Hell with the nitric, I think I'll have the nitrous."

"Sorry, no substitutions."
Posted by: KBK   2020-04-12 20:54  

#9  Actually what would work, compression chambers. Forcing the plasma itself to carry O2.
Posted by: Woodrow   2020-04-12 14:56  

#8  I remember the last time I had teeth extracted the Dentist use Nitrous Oxide. It was Goooood...Hic. Think I could a prescription for it ?
Posted by: Thaith Elmeresing6163   2020-04-12 14:29  

#7  /\ Perhaps something to hold on to ?
Posted by: Besoeker   2020-04-12 12:52  

#6  So, V1agra should be helpful.
Posted by: M. Murcek   2020-04-12 12:30  

#5  Thanks, Bobby.
I know of a person with COPD. Needless to say, this is not a good time. Even before COVID-19, each flu bug had to be treated with much care and urgency.
Posted by: Clem   2020-04-12 12:08  

#4  I had to look it up. Nitric oxide is used together with a breathing machine (ventilator) and other agents to treat newborn (term and near-term) babies with respiratory failure that is caused by pulmonary hypertension. Mayo Clinic
Posted by: Bobby   2020-04-12 12:07  

#3  Short answer, Clem, from a civil engineer: Pneumonia can lead to ARDS, but other things can cause it, too. COPD, emphysema ...

Acute respiratory distress syndrome is a type of respiratory failure characterized by rapid onset of widespread inflammation in the lungs. Symptoms include shortness of breath, rapid breathing, and bluish skin coloration. For those who survive, a decreased quality of life is common.
Wiki
Posted by: Bobby   2020-04-12 12:03  

#2  Some pompous "world famous doctor" who evidently needs to show his medical degree on camera recently said in a video that COVID-19 leads to pneumonia. Another "not-so-famous" doctor said people don't die from COVID-19, they die from pneumonia.

So, what am I missing here? Or, is ARDS different than pneumonia? Or, the similar just more nefarious?
Posted by: Clem   2020-04-12 10:58  

#1  So, the loVe drug is a treatment?
Posted by: Skidmark   2020-04-12 10:49  

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