Effects of Three Kinds of Artificial Respirators on the Pulmonary Ventilation and Arterial Blood of Patients with Chronic Respiratory Insufficiency

¹ Texas Institute for Rehabilitation and Research
² Texas Institute for Rehabilitation and Research, and the Departments of Physiology, Rehabilitation and Pediatrics, Baylor University College of Medicine, Texas Medical Center

(1) Three different kinds of respirators were used in nine patients with respiratory muscle paralysis due to chronic poliomyelitis. The frequency and pressure settings of the respirators were those that the patients felt were more comfortable and helpful to them.

(2) The tank respirator improved alveolar ventilation and oxygenation of the blood. The abdominal binder improved the oxygenation of the blood without significant changes in the alveolar ventilation; a possible interpretation of these facts is that the irrigation of areas of the lung which were adequately ventilated was improved. The cuirass did not produce any significant change.

(3) The characteristics of the abdominal binder should be emphasized, for this respirator improves the oxygenation of the blood, allows the sitting position and is less binding than the tank or the cuirass.