Reduction by Hyperbaric Oxygenation of the Mortality from Ventricular Fibrillation Following Coronary Artery Ligation

Abstract

The effect of the inhalation of hyperbaric oxygen on the incidence of ventricular fibrillation following ligation of the circumflex coronary artery was studied in 151 dogs weighing 17 kg or more. Fifty-two per cent of the animals in the control group (room air, 1 atm abs) survived the challenge of this ligation. Survival increased to 60.4, 70, and 77.8% in the groups given 100% oxygen at an ambient pressure of 1, 2, and 4 atm abs, respectively. The orderly progression in the proportion of survivals is impressive but only approaches statistical significance. The results of these experiments are less dramatic than those previously reported by others. They do point out the need for cautious clinical trial in rigidly controlled series.