The use of respirators in patients with complicated myocardial infarction

The results of controlled respiration as treatment in 20 patients with complicated myocardial infarction are presented. The clinical indications to this method of treatment included: shock, pulmonary oedema refractory to treatment, recurrent ventricular fibrillation and respirator failure following cardiac arrest. An indication for the use of this method is a drop in PaO2 below 70 mm Hg despite breathing 30% oxygen. Neuroleptanalgesic drugs were administered routinely while the patient was on the respirator. In all cases at least two prognostically unfavourable clinical signs were found. A correlation was observed between the clinical result and hypoxaemia after breathing 100% oxygen.