Recently, McDonnell et al72 reported the successful use of inhaled nitric oxide, a selective
pulmonary vasodilator, in the treatment of acute right ventricular failure and pulmonary
hypertension in a case of AFE presenting as cardiovascular collapse during labor. Other
selective pulmonary vasodilators that might be beneficial for the treatment of severe
pulmonary hypertension of AFE include prostacyclin and sildenafil.