Pulmonary Arteriolar Vasodilators

Oxygen is a simple, easily administered agent that can significantly dilate pulmonary arterioles, especially if the patient has a ventilation abnormality causing some degree of systemic hypoxemia. Nitric oxide is a powerful vasodilator in many vascular beds, especially that of the lungs. It is administered as an inhaled gas. Prostacyclin and sildenafil are pulmonary arteriolar vasodilators that are administered intravenously.