Depression of respiratory function by pneumatic antishock trousers in traumatic quadriplegia

A case of mild hypoventilation associated with an incompletely inflated pneumatic antishock suit in traumatic quadriplegia is presented. Pulmonary function studies were performed on the same patient 23 days later. Base line studies were performed and then repeated with the antishock suit inflated to 40 and then 100 mm Hg. Measurements were made of tidal volume (Vt), inspiratory reserve volume (IRV), expiratory reserve volume (ERV), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced vital capacity in one second (FEV1), and maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV). With increasing suit pressures, all parameters decreased with the exception of the ERV, which was initially zero. Traumatic quadriplegia must be added to the list of disorders in which caution must be used when considering the use of the abdominal compartment of the pneumatic antishock suit.