Diffuse Optical Monitoring with Inhaled Nitric Oxide

Experimental: Healthy Controls

The protocol will be a 35-minute monitoring session, during which cerebral hemodynamics will be monitored with both DCS and TCD, while blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac output, respiratory rate, end oxygen saturation, and inhaled nitric oxide concentration, are continuously monitored. 5 minutes of baseline hemodynamics will be assessed, after which the subject will breath iNO for 5 minutes, followed by 5 minutes of room air. This iNO/room air cycle will be repeated with a total of 3 different iNO concentrations. The full protocol will require 35 minutes. Subjects will be called at 24 hours after the monitoring session to determine any tolerability issues or adverse events.

Experimental: Acute Ischemic Stroke

Patients will be enrolled in the study within 72 hours of stroke symptom onset. The protocol will be a 35-minute monitoring session, during which cerebral hemodynamics will be monitored with both DCS and TCD, while blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac output, respiratory rate, end oxygen saturation, and inhaled nitric oxide concentration, are continuously monitored. 5 minutes of baseline hemodynamics will be assessed, after which the subject will breath iNO for 5 minutes, followed by 5 minutes of room air. This iNO/room air cycle will be repeated with a total of 3 different iNO concentrations. The full protocol will require 35 minutes. Subjects will be undergo a final assessment at 24 hours after the monitoring session to determine any tolerability issues or adverse events.