Related Experiment Videos
Stimulation of hypoxic ventilatory drive by droperidol
Anesthesia and Analgesia
|February 1, 1984
Summary
Droperidol enhances the body's response to low oxygen levels by blocking dopamine's effects on carotid body chemosensitivity. This study shows droperidol potentiates the hypoxic ventilatory response, improving oxygen intake during low oxygen conditions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Respiratory Physiology
Background:
- Dopamine modulates carotid body chemosensitivity.
- Droperidol is a potent dopamine receptor blocker.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of droperidol on the hypoxic ventilatory response.
Main Methods:
- Four volunteers received intravenous droperidol (2.5 mg).
- Hypoxic drive was assessed by decreasing end-tidal O2 from 106 to 53 torr, with end-tidal CO2 maintained at 41 torr.
- The effect of dopamine infusion on hypoxic drive was also evaluated before and after droperidol administration.
Main Results:
- Droperidol significantly increased the slope of the hypoxia-induced ventilatory response (0.98 +/- 0.23 to 1.87 +/- 0.31 L/min per 1% decrease in saturation, P < 0.05).
- Dopamine infusion, which previously depressed hypoxic drive, did not have this effect after droperidol administration.
Conclusions:
- Droperidol potentiates the hypoxic ventilatory response.
- This potentiation is likely due to droperidol blocking the inhibitory action of endogenous dopamine on carotid body chemosensitivity.