Nitric oxide

also acts as a neurotransmitter - active in behaviour and memory functions

Net effect: vasodilation
inhibits platelet aggregation
Secreted from endothelial cells (via nitric oxide synthase)
Stimulus - any factors that ↑ intracellular Ca: bradykinin, histamine, serotonin
- shear stress
Inhibition
Acts on activates guanylyl cyclase → cGTP converted to cGMP → activation of cGMP-dependent protein kinase
Action vasodilatation
  • PDE-5 inhibitors prolong effect of NO

#haemodynamics #icu

Endogenous regulation of vascular tone

Guyton