TRANSTRACHEAL RESUSTCITATION; AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY IN DOGS

Previous experimental studies of the use of a large bore needle for transtracheal resuscitation have shown that arterial oxygen saturation can be maintained at satisfactory levels. Accumulation of carbon dioxide and subsequent fall of arterial pH has been the limiting factor in this mode of resuscitation. The present study was undertaken to demonstrate experimentally in dogs the use of an Intracath(R) 14 gauge needle for transtracheal resuscitation. Oxygen was administered transtracheally to five anesthetized apneic dogs for 30 minutes through this needle by the Bird respirator. Carbon dioxide could not be adequately exchanged by this method, but satisfactory levels of arterial oxygenation were maintained and all the experimental animals survived.