Researchers at Sechenov University, operating under the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, are exploring the use of inhaled nitric oxide as a treatment for community-acquired pneumonia. This marks a first-of-its-kind investigation in global medical practice. Earlier work with inhaled nitric oxide has shown success in treating nosocomial pneumonia, and the current study expands on that foundation. Local observers highlighted these efforts during conversations with socialbites.ca at Sechenov University in Moscow.
Traditionally, inhaled nitric oxide is employed for patients dealing with high blood pressure and for non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema, where lung problems arise from causes other than heart failure, such as viral infections or pneumonia. The therapy has also demonstrated utility in rehabilitation following coronavirus infection. At Sechenov University, pulmonologists are assessing whether inhaled nitric oxide could serve as an antibacterial or antiviral adjunct in treating community-acquired pneumonia for the first time in history.
According to Sergei Avdeev, a freelance pulmonologist with the Ministry of Health, professor, and director of the Clinic of Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine at Sechenov University, brief, high-dose sessions of nitric oxide may produce an anti-infective effect. He noted improvements in inflammatory markers and suggested that hospital stays for patients with community-acquired pneumonia could be shortened as a result. These observations were shared with socialbites.ca.
In the recent study, 120 participants contributed to the findings. The research benefited from the Tianox device, a product of the state-owned company Rosatom. This device stands out as the world’s only apparatus designed to generate nitric oxide from ambient air, eliminating the need to transport gas cylinders to patient bedsides. Such a setup represents a notable advancement in the logistical aspects of nitric oxide therapy.
Proponents of inhaled nitric oxide in community-acquired pneumonia argue that this approach, when applied judiciously, can shorten hospitalizations and lessen the overall strain on health care systems. The potential to expedite recovery and reduce resource use is seen as a meaningful step in respiratory care, with implications for patient outcomes and system efficiency alike.
Earlier Russian developments include advances in patient breathing training devices, reflecting a broader interest in respiratory therapy and rehabilitative science. These efforts collectively contribute to a growing landscape of innovations in pulmonary medicine, where nitric oxide therapy is gaining renewed attention as a potential tool in managing serious lung infections and related conditions.