[Experiences in intensive therapy of apoplectiform pictures of cerebrovascular insufficiency]

Our observations indicate that attention should be paid primarily to the following, in the sequence given, when applying intensive therapy to patients suffering from apoplectiform phenomena of cerebro-vascular insufficiency: keep the respiratory passages open, prevent inflammatory processes, especially bronchopneumonia, give an optimum supply of calories, water and electrolyte to patients in the comatose state, compensate for disturbances in the central regulation of respiration and circulation, combat disturbances of the acid-base balance and prevent cerebral oedema and hyperthermia from central causes. The report was to emphasize the gasometric results of our studies which indicated that 65 per cent of the patients in this group suffer from significant hypoxia and that respiratory alkalosis occurred in 34 per cent. The cause seems to be a disturbance in the respiratory passages which leads to hyperventilation and to subsequent respiratory alkalosis.