THE USE OF ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION IN PULMONARY EMPHYSEMA ACCOMPANIED BY HIGH CARBON DIOXIDE LEVELS 1

Abstract

A study of 2 patients with emphysema and CO2 retention showed diminution of ventilation and elevation of PCO2 upon admn. of O2, and no increment in ventilation when a mixture of 5.25% CO2 in oxygen was breathed. Increase in lung ventila-tion brought about by use of a body respirator reduced the pCO2 to normal values in both subjects, while the arterial pO2 and oxygen saturations were markedly raised above previous levels. Subsequent to respirator treatment one patient has for 12 months maintained his pCO2 at normal levels, and his responses to administration of high O2 or CO2 mixtures have been characteristic of the response of normal individuals. The other patient showed no diminution in ventilation while breathing oxygen in the immediate post-respirator period, but the improvement was of short duration. More impressive than the biochemical response in the first patient was the clinical improvement which immediately followed the respirator treatment. After more than 3 yrs. of severe headaches and marked exertional dyspnea, he became free of headaches and noted respiratory distress much less frequently. He returned to work, and has been at his job continuously for over 9 ms.