Neuromuscular blocking agents suppress central respiratory activity through their inhibitory effects on preinspiratory neurons and the synaptic drive from preinspiratory neurons to inspiratory neurons. Central CO2-chemosensitive areas, which partly consist of CO2-excited neurons, in the rostral ventrolateral medulla are thought to provide tonic drive to the central respiratory network and invol...

Central respiratory drive was studied in 13 piglets of both sexes varying in age from 19 to 67 days. The distal trachea was cannulated and the maximum rate of isometric inspiratory pressure change (dP/dt)(max), was measured at the airway. Curves were constructed relating this measurement to changes in arterial PCO(2) during carbon dioxide rebreathing. Data were obtained at intervals correspondi...

In this study we investigated how the networks mediating respiratory and locomotor drives to lumbar motoneurons interact and how this interaction is modulated in relation to periodic variations in blood pressure (Mayer waves). Seven decerebrate cats, under neuromuscular blockade, were used to study central respiratory drive potentials (CRDPs, usually enhanced by added CO2) and spontaneously occ...

BACKGROUND The contribution of the central respiratory drive in the hypercapnic respiratory failure of neuromuscular diseases (NMD) is controversial. OBJECTIVE To compare the CO2 response and the duration of weaning of mechanical ventilation between a group of NMD patients and a group of quadriplegic patients due to ICU-acquired weakness (ICU-AW). METHODS We prospectively studied 16 subject...

We have observed that pulmonary rapidly adapting receptor activity is greater in emphysematous rats than in controls. Pulmonary receptor activity, if modified by lung disease, may produce an inappropriate drive to breathe which may be perceived as dyspnoea. To investigate the efferent (drive) component of this hypothesis respiratory drive (phrenic nerve activity) was recorded in a rabbit model ...

BACKGROUND Patients with acute respiratory failure may develop respiratory acidosis. Metabolic compensation by bicarbonate production or retention results in posthypercapnic alkalosis with an increased arterial bicarbonate concentration. The hypothesis of this study was that elevated plasma bicarbonate levels decrease respiratory drive and minute ventilation. METHODS In an intervention study ...

BACKGROUND Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have a significant negative impact on both patients and healthcare systems. Currently, there are no physiological biomarkers that effectively monitor clinical change or predict respiratory readmission. Acute exacerbations impose a change in the respiratory muscle load-capacity-drive relationship. It was hypothesised that la...