Jhaymie Cappiello, clinical assistant professor for the Department of Respiratory Care, co-authored an article titled “Inhaled Epoprostenol Compared With Nitric Oxide for Right Ventricular Support After Major Cardiac Surgery” for Circulation – an American Heart Association Journal on July 4.
Trevor Lee, clinical instructor with the Department of Respiratory Care, assisted with research for the study.
Right ventricular failure, when the right side of the heart is too weak to pump enough blood to the lungs, is a significant cause of illness, disease or death after major cardiac surgery. Clinical trials provide limited evidence on which inhaled vasodilator (medicine that is inhaled to help open blood vessels) may be best for a particular patient.
Cappiello and the research team examined adult patients who underwent major cardiac surgery when they were treated with either inhaled epoprostenol or nitric oxide to reduce their risk of right ventricular failure. As nitric oxide therapy is much more expensive, the team’s findings of similar risks between the use of vasodilators could help medical practitioners choose a more cost-effective treatment for their patients.
Cappiello teaches in the online Registered Respiratory Therapy-Bachelor of Science Degree Advancement Online Program and Lee teaches in the entry-to-practice On Campus Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care Program. Boise State’s Department of Respiratory Care is the largest and most well-known respiratory therapy department in the country.