Abstract

Cerebral concussion often results in profound respiratory depression. The earlier workers in the field of experimental concussion concluded that artificial respiration could be a life preserving procedure in 4 many instances. More recently, however, it has been held that this form of resuscitation is of little or no value.

Because of this conflict in viewpoint and inasmuch as the latter interpretation was made as a result of studies that were not primarily directed towards assessing the worth of artificial respiration during the apnea of experimentally induced concussion, this study was planned with the hope of resolving the differences of opinion.

A series of experiments was performed in which concussion, together with prolonged apnea, was induced in anesthetized c^ts by a spring 1 loaded hammer while recording arterial blood pressure and respiration. When it appeared that the demise of the animal was imminent because of a rapidly falling arterial pressure, artificial respiration was provided in order to study the beneficial effects, if any, on the blood pressure and respiration.

In 6 instances out of 27 preparations, adequate spontaneous respiration returned. The arterial blood pressure was maintained at levels of 90 ram Hg. or higher for variable periods of ti e up to 12 hours after which the animals were electively sacrificed. Four preparations expired while being ventilated; in the balance demise accompanied the discontinuance of artificial respiration.

It is concluded that artificial respiration may be of value in the apnea of concussion in certain instances. In a majority of cases, however. j it appears that when the blow is strong enough to cause profound 1 respiratory depression, survival of the animal may not be anticipated.

LLU Discipline

Physiology

Department

Physiology

School

Graduate Studies

First Advisor

J. Earl Thomas

Second Advisor

Kenneth E. Kellogg

Third Advisor

Raymond A. Mortensen

Fourth Advisor

Jack D. Zwemer

Fifth Advisor

Vernon C. Bohr

Sixth Advisor

Melvin I Haley

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Degree Level

M.S.

Year Degree Awarded

1958

Date (Title Page)

5-1958

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Respiration, Artificial; Head Injuries

Type

Thesis

Page Count

vi; 26

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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