Computerized recording of ventilation, cardiovascular parameters, and body temperature in anesthetized rats

A computer-based system for deriving a total of 10 parameters from the femoral pressure curve, ventilatory flow, and temperature is described. The computer program features: (1) online reporting both in numerical and graphic form, (2) reduction of the data by averaging or finding maximal changes during present time intervals, (3) statistical analysis, consisting of Student's t-test and analysis of variance. This multiparameter registration system can be used as an efficient tool for the screening of either centrally- or peripherally-mediated effects of new drugs. Monitoring of ventilation in cardiovascular research decreases the number of erroneous results due to ventilatory disturbances. Furthermore, since some centrally acting cardiovascular drugs also affect ventilation, the combined recording of ventilation and blood pressure may yield new information of the central cardiorespiratory interactions.