Abstract: Gaseous nitric oxide (NO) can be delivered to a mammal for prophylactic or therapeutic purposes using a composition capable of delivering NO, comprising a compound capable of forming a reversible bond or association with NO. Methods for the manufacture and use of said composition are disclosed.

Abstract: Organic nitrites can be produced from a compound which is a mono/polyhydric alcohol or an aldehyde- or ketone-derivate thereof after de-aeration of the same, using NO gas, and stored in an environment saturated with gaseous NO. Organic nitrites produced according to the invention exhibit less impurities and improved storage stability compared to conventionally produced nitrites. The organic nitrites of the invention can easily be formulated into pharmaceutical compositions and have utility for the treatment of various conditions.

Abstract: Organic nitrites can be produced from a compound which is a mono/polyhydric alcohol or an aldehyde- or ketone-derivate thereof after de-aeration of the same, using NO gas, and stored in an environment saturated with gaseous NO. Organic nitrites produced according to the invention exhibit less impurities and improved storage stability compared to conventionally produced nitrites. The organic nitrites of the invention can easily be formulated into pharmaceutical compositions and have utility for the treatment of various conditions.

Abstract: Gaseous nitric oxide (NO) can be delivered to a mammal for prophylactic or therapeutic purposes using a composition capable of delivering NO, comprising a compound capable of forming a reversible bond or association with NO. Methods for the manufacture and use of said composition are disclosed.

Abstract: Pulmonary embolism in a human patient can be detected or confirmed by monitoring the level of endogenous NO in expired air, comparing the measured level with baseline values previously obtained for the same patient or baseline values representing a healthy population. The method can be used alone, or as a supplemental or adjunct step in traditional methods for diagnosing pulmonary embolism. Analysis of the obtained NO value, with consideration of the flow and resistance, can be used to indicate the severity of the pulmonary embolism.

Abstract: An arrangement for the non-invasive determination of the minute volume Q of the heart is arranged to determine the amount of a sufficiently soluble gas, e.g. carbon dioxide or nitrous oxide, present in the blood, prior to and subsequent to the passage of the blood through the heart. The expired and inspired gases are separated from one another with each breath taken. Transducers feed respective devices for determining the gas content of the respiration gas, and the magnitude of the expiration gas flow and the inspiration gas flow. These devices are controlled by a microprocessor, which is programmed to supply gas from a gas source, to meter the gas during a subsequent inspiration cycle, and to control an indicator for the Q-value. The gas is controlled in a manner such that the gas-content of the lungs is changed in accordance with a given program. The Q-value is calculated for pairs of respiration cycles in accordance with the formula: ##EQU1## in which V.sub.