Ventilatory Efficiency of the Cuirass Respirator in Totally Paralyzed Chronic Poliomyelitis Patients

Abstract

The efficiency of cuirass respirators for artificial ventilation was evaluated in 14 adults with chronic respiratory poliomyelitis in whom the vital capacity was 250 ml. or less. The chest-abdomen cuirass is more efficient than the chest cuirass, giving tidal vols. of 61% and 47%, respectively, of those achieved with a tank respirator at the same pressure and rate. Both cuirasses lack the ventilatory reserve of the tank respirator. The ventilatory status of the patients was detd. by measuring the alveolar CO2 concn. with a rapid infrared CO2 analyzer. A mean alveolar CO2 tension of 26.5 mm. Hg indicated that they were hyperventilated. The theoretical ventilatory requirements were calculated by a formula. The ventilatory ability of cuirass respirators was compared with both the ventilatory status and requirements of these patients.