Short-latency ventilatory responses to sudden withdrawal of hypoxia at normal and raised body temperature in man.

Abstract

Approximately isopnoeic conditions (VE=40 l/min) were achieved by the inhalation of asphyxial gas mixtures (PA,O2 60 torr, PA,CO2 40-45 torr) in normothermia after a rise in rectal temperature of 1.6 degrees C had been induced by a heated flying suit. Arterial chemoreceptor drive was transiently reduced by either isocapnic removal of hypoxia (type (1) tests: two breaths of CO2 in O2) or simultaneous withdrawal of both hypercapnia and hypoxia (type (2) tests: two breaths of O2). 8-13 tests of each type were performed at both temperature conditions in 6 expts. on 4 healthy human subjects. Expired volume, total breath duration and inspiratory time were recorded, and minute ventilation and expiratory time subsequently computed breath by breath. In hyperthermia the steady-state ventilation of 40 l/min (at a relatively higher respiratory frequency and a correspondingly lower tidal volume) was achieved at a PA,CO2 which was 5 torr lower than in normothermia. Ventilation decreased significantly in all tests. Tested with a 3-way analysis of variance significant differences between the ventilatory responses at the two temperature conditions, and between the two test types were found. The rate of change of ventilation was greater in hyperthermia than in normothermia, and also greater in type (2) tests than in type (1) tests. Since isopnoeic conditions existed prior to the tests, this implies that the arterial chemoreceptor contribution to the total ventilatory drive is increased in hyperthermia. In type (2) tests a significant lengthening of expiratory time was observed in the first test breath. This finding confirms the effect in man of changes in airway PCO2 on lung stretch receptor discharge.