Ventilatory reserve in the dog during partial curarization.

Abstract

In dogs respiratory workloads were increased by partial airway obstruction or strapping the chest and by addition of a mechanical deadspace of 200 ml. The ventilatory responses and blood-gas values were within normal ranges during the respiratory challenge. When partial curarization was induced, ventilatory reserve diminished; with the addition of deadspace and either airway obstruction or decreased compliance induced by strapping respiratory arrest occurred when the dogs breathed room air. When the dogs breathed 100 per cent oxygen, respiratory arrest did not occur in response to the same respiratory challenges. It is suggested that hypoxia plays a role in initiating postoperative respiratory failure following anesthesia produced with neuromuscular blockers.