[Experimental and clinical studies of transvenous electrophrenic respiration (author's transl)]

The transvenous electrophrenic respiration (EPR) is one of the effective and relatively simple method for artificial respiration. Twenty seven mongrel dogs were subjected to the experiment which were subdevided into 4 groups. Stimulation is 44 times in group 1, 22 times in group 2 and 3. Ventilation is carried out by Harverd Respirator in group 4. The normal arterial pressure, the normal minute ventilatory volume and the normal arterial blood gases were unchanged for a 5 hour period of experiment in group 2. However, the frequent stimulation such as 44 times/min. in group 1 yielded the hypotension, the decreased ventilatory volume and brought the congestion of the portal venous area and rendered the subjects to death. The systemic pressure remained in slightly lowered levels in group 2, 3 and 4 at the end of a 24 hour of experiment. The ventilatory volume decreased one third of initial values in group 2 and 3 at the end of a 24 hour of experiment. The pulmonary arterial pressure decreased in group 3 significantly, whereas it increased in positive pressure respiration in group 4. Intermittent clinical application of EPR was performed in three patients. The arterial pressure, minute ventilatory volume, arterial gases and central venous pressure were maintained normal. The following conclusions were obtained: 1) EPR is more physiologic than positive pressure respiration in ventilatory and circulatory aspects. 2) Undesiable conditions of stimulation cause complications such as neural fatigue, portal hypertension, etc. 3) Intermittent clinical application of EPR has been quite successful in supporting the ventilation of the patients.