Biomaterial Database

Contributions of changing rib cage--diaphragm interactions to the ventilatory depression of halothane anesthesia. 1977

K Tusiewicz, and A C Bryan, and A B Froese

The ventilatory response to CO2 was subdivided into that portion due to increasing rib cage expansion, and that due to increased diaphragmatic descent. Five children were studied, awake, and anesthetized with halothane, 0.8-0.9%. During anesthesia there was a 67+/-8% reduction (mean+/-SE) in the slope of the response of overall ventilation to an increase in CO2. This was primarily due to an 89+/-8% reduction in the recruitment of rib cage ventilation (P less than .001). There was no significant change in the slope of the diaphragmatic response (anesthetized value 19+/-21% less than control), although the response curve was shifted to the right so that a higher CO2 concentration was needed to stimulate a given level of diaphragmatic excursion. Additional measurements of the inspiratory intercostal electromyogram in three adult subjects documented a rapid, profound depression of intercostal activity with halothane anesthesia that was associated with a marked decrease in rib cage ventilation. The authors conclude that a major component of the ventilatory depression associated with halothane anesthesia results from the preferential suppression of intercostal muscle function with relative sparing of diaphragmatic activity.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007366	Intercostal Muscles	Respiratory muscles that arise from the lower border of one rib and insert into the upper border of the adjoining rib, and contract during inspiration or respiration. (From Stedman, 25th ed)	Intercostal Muscle,Muscle, Intercostal,Muscles, Intercostal
D012119	Respiration	The act of breathing with the LUNGS, consisting of INHALATION, or the taking into the lungs of the ambient air, and of EXHALATION, or the expelling of the modified air which contains more CARBON DIOXIDE than the air taken in (Blakiston's Gould Medical Dictionary, 4th ed.). This does not include tissue respiration (	Breathing
D012125	Respiratory Center	Part of the brain located in the MEDULLA OBLONGATA and PONS. It receives neural, chemical and hormonal signals, and controls the rate and depth of respiratory movements of the DIAPHRAGM and other respiratory muscles.	Center, Respiratory,Centers, Respiratory,Respiratory Centers
D012131	Respiratory Insufficiency	Failure to adequately provide oxygen to cells of the body and to remove excess carbon dioxide from them. (Stedman, 25th ed)	Acute Hypercapnic Respiratory Failure,Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure,Hypercapnic Acute Respiratory Failure,Hypercapnic Respiratory Failure,Hypoxemic Acute Respiratory Failure,Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure,Respiratory Depression,Respiratory Failure,Ventilatory Depression,Depressions, Ventilatory,Failure, Hypercapnic Respiratory,Failure, Hypoxemic Respiratory,Failure, Respiratory,Hypercapnic Respiratory Failures,Hypoxemic Respiratory Failures,Respiratory Failure, Hypercapnic,Respiratory Failure, Hypoxemic,Respiratory Failures
D002245	Carbon Dioxide	A colorless, odorless gas that can be formed by the body and is necessary for the respiration cycle of plants and animals.	Carbonic Anhydride,Anhydride, Carbonic,Dioxide, Carbon
D002648	Child	A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL.	Children
D003964	Diaphragm	The musculofibrous partition that separates the THORACIC CAVITY from the ABDOMINAL CAVITY. Contraction of the diaphragm increases the volume of the thoracic cavity aiding INHALATION.	Respiratory Diaphragm,Diaphragm, Respiratory,Diaphragms,Diaphragms, Respiratory,Respiratory Diaphragms
D004576	Electromyography	Recording of the changes in electric potential of muscle by means of surface or needle electrodes.	Electromyogram,Surface Electromyography,Electromyograms,Electromyographies,Electromyographies, Surface,Electromyography, Surface,Surface Electromyographies
D006221	Halothane	A nonflammable, halogenated, hydrocarbon anesthetic that provides relatively rapid induction with little or no excitement. Analgesia may not be adequate. NITROUS OXIDE is often given concomitantly. Because halothane may not produce sufficient muscle relaxation, supplemental neuromuscular blocking agents may be required. (From AMA Drug Evaluations Annual, 1994, p178)	1,1,1-Trifluoro-2-Chloro-2-Bromoethane,Fluothane,Ftorotan,Narcotan
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man