[Artificial respiration of multi-injured patients with He-O2 and N2-O2 mixtures. II. Hemodynamics]

Multi-injured patients (n = 18) requiring ventilatory support were alternatively ventilated with either He-O2 or N2-O2 mixtures (FiO2 = 0.3). Haemodynamic effects in favour of He-O2 were especially seen in cardiac output in arising PEEP. It was the result of a reduced intrathoracic pressure when administering He-O2 mixtures for controlled respiration. These results must be seen in combination with the advantages of the ventilatory effects.