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Biomedical subjects

H Rigatto

Publications and source records attributed to H Rigatto.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Effect of feeding on the chemical control of breathing in the newborn infant.

To examine the influence of feeding on the chemical control of breathing in neonates, we studied the ventilatory response to 3% CO2 in air in nine bottle fed (BOT) and eight breast fed (BR) term infants during feeding while the infants were alert. Control responses were obtained either before or after feeding, VE, respiratory frequency, tidal volume, inspiratory time, expiratory time, and sum of inspiratory and expiratory time, VT/Ti/Ttot, PACO2 and slope (S) of CO2 response (liter/min/kg/mmHg) were determined. During 3% CO2 while resting BR had a lower VE, VT, VT/Ti than BOT and S in BR was 40% of BOT (P less than 0.05). During feeding and CO2 when compared to resting and CO2 there was no difference in either BR or BOT in VT/Ti but Ti/Ttot decreased in both groups. During feeding, S in BOT was reduced from 0.049 +/- 0.012 (mean +/- S.E.) to 0.013 +/- 0.002 (74% reduction) and in BR from 0.020 +/- 0.002 to 0.009 +/- 0.002 (55%). Thus, behavioral activity (either BR or BOT) markedly depresses the ventilatory response to chemical stimuli (CO2). This modification is primarily related to changes in "effective" respiratory timing (Ti/Ttot) rather than mean inspiratory flow (VT/Vi).

Bottle Feeding↗

Pharmacokinetics of theophylline in neonates.

Theophylline is a safe, effective drug for the treatment of apnea of prematurity. The pharmacokinetics of theophylline have been studied extensively in preterm neonates. There is some inter-infant variability, but generally, compared to children and adults, prolonged half-life values and low clearance rates have been found: the apparent volume of distribution is larger and protein binding of the drug is decreased. A unique pattern of metabolism involving methylation to caffeine has been identified. Theophylline maintenance dose requirements are much lower in neonates than in children. When therapy is begun, a useful guide is to give a loading dose of 5 mg/kg anhydrous theophylline followed by maintenance doses of 2 mg/kg every 12 hr. In many infants, this will suffice to prevent apnea without producing signs of toxicity. After commencement of therapy, doses must be individualized for each infant on the basis of serum theophylline concentration monitoring and monitoring for apnea. Evidence of theophylline toxicity in neonates may be subtle, and only scanty data are available regarding possible long-term effects of chronic theophylline treatment of neonates.

Apnea↗

Chemical control of respiratory frequency and tidal volume during sleep in preterm infants.

During a given sleep state, respiration changes from periodic to regular and vice-versa. Because such spontaneous changes occur without changes in electro-encephalogram (EEG), electro-oculogram (EOG), electro-cardiogram (ECG) or body movements, we hypothesized that they are induced by chemical stimuli such as CO2. To test this hypothesis we examined 12 preterm infants in whom spontaneous changes in respiratory pattern were allowed to occur within the same sleep state, and infants in whom such changes were induced by inhalation of 0.3% to 1.2% CO2. Using a nosepiece and a screen flowmeter we measured the respiratory pattern, VE, f, VT, TI, TE, Ttot, VT/TI, TI/Ttot and PACO2. In REM sleep, spontaneous changes from periodic to regular were associated with increase in VE from 0.466 (mean) to 0.530 L/min (P less than 0.5) and CO2 induced changes accompanied by an increase in VE from 0.416 to 0.571 L/min (P less than 0.05). Similarly in N-REM sleep, VE increased from 0.385 to 0.445 L/min (P less than 0.05) during CO2 induced changes, and from 0.420 to 0.454 L/min (P less than 0.05) during CO2 induced changes, and from 0.420 to 0.454 L/min (P less than 0.05) during CO2 induced changes. Increased VE produced both spontaneously or by CO2 administration was associated with decreased VT, decreased Ttot, decreased VT/TI and slight increase in PACO2. We suggest that changes in respiratory pattern occurring within the same sleep state are chemically mediated.

Carbon Dioxide↗

Effect of CO2 and 100% O2 on cerebral blood flow in preterm infants.

To determine 1) the effect of arterial CO2 change on the neonatal cerebral circulation and 2) whether 100% O2 would produce significant decrease in cerebral blood flow (CBF), we studied 24 preterm infants to explain the late (5 min) hyperventilation observed in them during hyperoxia. Of these, 12 were studied before and during inhalation of 2-3% CO2 and 12 before and during the inhalation of 100% O2. We measured CBF by a modification of the venous occlusion plethysmography technique and found that CBF increased 7.8% per Torr alveolar carbon dioxide pressure change and that it decreased 15% with 100% O2. These findings suggest that 1) CO2 is an important regulator of CBF in the perterm infant, 2) CBF-CO2 sensitivity in these infants may be greater than in adult subjects, 3) 100% O2 reduced CBF significantly, and 4) a decrease in CBF during administration of 100% O2 may be at least partially responsible for the increase in ventilation with hyperoxia.

Brain↗

Effect of inhaling 100% O2 on ventilation and acid-base balance in cerebrospinal fluid of neonates.

If 100% O2 produces hyperventilation by increasing central CO2 due to cerebral vasoconstriction or dimished reduction of oxyhemoglobin, then, there should be a parallel decrease in alveolar and CSF PCO2 during O2 breathing in neonates. To test this hypothesis, we measured ventilation, alveolar PCO2 and CSF PCO2, pH and HCO2 before and 10-20 min after infants began breathing 100% O2. With 100% O2, minute ventilation increased from 0.193 +/- (SE) 0.013 (n = 7) to 0.252 +/- 0.013 liter/min/kg (p less than 0.015), PACO2 decreased from 42 +/- 2 to 38 +/- 2 mm Hg (p less than 0.005), CSF PCO2 decreased from 51 +/- 1 to 44 +/- 1 mm Hg (p less than 0.015), and pH increased from 7.308 +/- 0.013 to 7.354 +/- 0.013 (p less than 0.05). CSF bicarbonate decreased, but not significantly. These findings, showing a trend toward alkalosis, suggest that the neonate, like the adult man, induces hyperventilation during hyperoxia via an increase in PCO2 at the central level.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗

Immediate and late ventillatory response to high and low O2 in preterm infants and adult subjects.

The differences in the immediate (30 sec or 1 min) and late (5 min) ventilatory response to high and low O2 have not been quantitated in preterm infants and adult subjects using the same methods. It was thought that these differences might explain the paradoxical ventilatory response to CO2 at various O2 concentrations in preterm infants (12). Thus, 9 preterm infants and 10 adult subjects were given 21% O2 to breathe and then 100 or 15% O2 for 5 min each. Adults also breathed 15% O2 before 100% O2 or 12% O2 in order to make their resting arterial PO2 more comparable to those of infants breathing 21% O2. The ventilatory response to 100% O2 was the same in preterm infants and adult subjects, but the late response to 15% O2 remained paradoxical, ventilation decreasing at 5 min by 18% in infants and increasing by 19% in adults. The authors conclude: 1) the traditional concept of the ventilatory response to 100% O2 being different in infants and adult subjects is false; 2) the notion that the response to low O2 is paradoxical in infants is correct; and 3) the data do not explain why the response to CO2 under various background concentrations of O2 in infants is the reverse of that in adult subjects, but the depressed ventilatory response to hypoxia in infants may justify, at least in part, their flatter response to CO2 during low O2 breathing.

Adult↗

Effect of sleep state on chest distortion and on the ventilatory response to CO2 in neonates.

In 10 preterm and 10 term infants, the effect of sleep state on chest distortion and on the ventilatory response to CO2 was assessed. It was found that chest distortion and ventilatory response to CO2 were independent of sleep state. Chest distortion, however, was more frequent in preterm than in term infants. The authors suggest that the increased prevalence of chest distortion in preterm infants is related to their highly compliant chest wall rather than to differences in sleep state.

Carbon Dioxide↗

Quantitative noninvasive method to measure cerebral blood flow in newborn infants.

We measured cerebral blood flow (CBF) in 32 healthy neonates by venous occlusion plethysmography. Mean CBF was 63 ml/min/100 gm which compared favorably with invasive methods used in older children and adult subjects. We suggest that this is a useful method to quantify CBF in neonates. It may be valuable in assessing sequential changes occurring during asphyxia, intracranial hemorrhage, or during administration of various gas mixtures and drugs such as theophylline.

Blood Flow Velocity↗

Physiologic changes induced by theophylline in the treatment of apnea in preterm infants.

Ten preterm infants (birth weight 0.970 to 2.495 kg) with apnea due to periodic breathing (apneic interval = 5 to 10 seconds) or with "serious apnea" (greater than or equal to 20 seconds) were studied before and after the administration of theophylline. We determined the incidence of apnea, respiratory minute volume, alveolar gases, arterial gases and pH, "specific" compliance, functional residual capacity, and work of breathing. Theophylline decreased the incidence of apnea (P less than .05), increased respiratory minute volume (P less than 0.001), decreased (PACO2 (and PaCO2 P less than 0.001), increased the slope of the CO2 response curve (P less than 0.02) with a significant shift to the left (P less than 0.02). These findings suggest that the decreased incidence of apnea after theophylline is associated with an increase in alveolar ventilation and increased sensitivity to CO2 with a pronounced shift of the CO2 response curve to the left. These data are consistent with the idea that apnea is a reflection of a depressed respiratory system.

Apnea↗

The effect of lung inflation on the control of respiratory frequency in the neonate.

1. We have measured the relationship between tidal volume (V(T)) and the duration of inspiration (T(i)) and expiration (T(e)) for individual breaths (30 in each steady state).2. Ten pre-term and ten term infants were studied during steady state while breathing 21% O(2), then 21% O(2) plus 2 and 4% CO(2).3. In all infants, the average T(i) at the various chemical drives was remarkably constant, and did not decrease as the tidal volume increased. However, at any given level of respiratory drive, there was a slightly positive correlation of V(T) with T(i) and T(e) in 95% of the cases.4. In four pre-term and two term infants, T(e) increased with increasing respiratory drive. In these infants, therefore, instantaneous respiratory frequency (1/(T(i) + T(e))) actually decreased as lung volume increased.5. We suggest that T(i) is independent of V(T) within the range of volumes studied (up to 2 times the resting V(T)) and that changes in instantaneous respiratory frequency (1/(T(i) + T(e))) result from changes in T(e).

Carbon Dioxide↗

The immediate ventilatory response to added inspiratory elastic and resistive loads in preterm infants.

We measured the changes in tidal volume, duration of the various phases of the respiratory cycle, and peak nasal pressure during elastic and resistive loading in preterm infants. Values were calculated during the first loaded breath, when chemical drive was unchanged. Tidal volume decreased by equivalent percentages with resistive loads of 400, 900, and 2,400 cm H2O/liter/sec, and elastic loads of 330, 1,000, and 3,000 cm H2O/liter. Infinite load was also applied (nasal occlusion). Inspiratory duration (ti) was prolonged during resistive loading, as compared with elastic loading (P less than 0.05). Changes in expiratory duration (Te) were not different with both loads (P greater than 0.05). Total duration of the respiratory cycle (T), however, tended to increase in relation to control, more so with resistive loads. Peak nasal pressure was greater with resistive than with elastic loads ( less than 0.025). We suggest that (1) preterm infants, like adult subjects and other animal species, increase inspiratory duration with resistive loads as compared with elastic loads; (2) T of the first loaded breath tends to increase with progressively larger loads and, consequently, instantaneous frequency tends to decrease; and (3) if peak nasal pressure reflects tension developed by the respiratory muscles, then the latter does not offer the inhibitory information needed to terminate inspiration.

Airway Obstruction↗

The effect of gestational age on the effective elastance of the respiratory system in neonates.

We measured the effective elastance of the respiratory system (E'RS) in 38 "healthy" neonates, gestational ages ranging from 28-42 weeks. E'RS was calculated by dividing the inspiratory pressure generated after nasal occlusion by the tidal volume of the breath preceding occlusion (E'RS = P/VT). E'RS decreased from 790 +/- 0.070 cm H2O/liter at 30.4 +/- 0.4 weeks of gestation to 520 +/- 0.030 at 34.5 +/- 0.3 weeks (P less than 0.01); then to 340 +/- 0.020 at 40 +/- 0.2 weeks (P less than 0.01). E'RS corrected for lung volume ("specific" E'RS) were 32 +/- 2,32 +/- 4, and 28 +/- 2 cm H2O at the above gestational ages, respectively (P greater than 0.05). We suggest: (1) the increased E'RS observed in preterm infants is lung volume dependent. Changes in lung volume may alter the geometry of the thorax, and therefore, the force/length characteristics of the respiratory muscles; (2) this increased E'RS is not of much benefit to preterm infants who have little respiratory stability when E'RS is maximum; and (3) if E'RS is an index of mechanical stability, apnea in preterm infants is independent of the mechanical properties of the respiratory system.

Gestational Age↗

Hyaline membrane disease in twins. A 7 year review with a study on zygosity.

We reviewed 294 pairs of twins born from January, 1966 to December, 1972. In 19 pairs one or both members developed hyaline membrane disease (HMD). Of these, both twins were affected in 12 pairs, twin B alone in six pairs, and twin A alone in one pair. The group affected (19 pairs) had lower gestational age, birth weight, Apgar score, increased incidence of monozygotic (MZ) twins, and higher mortality rate than the group without HMD (275 pairs). MZ twins were more immature than dizygotic (DZ) twins (p less than 0.02). When both twins were affected they had lower gestational age, birth weight, and increased monozygosity than when B alone was affected (p less than 0.05). When twin B alone was affected, he had lower Apgar score than twin A (p less than 0.05). We suggested that (1) HMD occurs in twins because of lung immaturity, as it does in singletons; (2) monozygosity may be a predisposing factor to HMD because of the associated prematurity; and (3) the greater risk of twin B is probably related to birth asphyxia.

Apgar Score↗

Effects of CO2 on immediate ventilatory response to O2 in preterm infants.

We wanted to know wheter the paradoxical response to CO2 under various background concentrations of O2 in preterm infants was mediated at the peripheral chemoreceptors. In five preterm infants we estimated peripheral chemoreceptor activity using the immediate change in ventilation (first 30 s) when 15%, 40%, 60%, or 100% O2 was substituted for 21% O2. Potentiation between O2 and CO2 was assessed by comparing the response with and without 4% CO2. CO2 enhanced the immediate hyperventilation with hypoxia (P less than 0.005) and reduced the immediate hypoventilation with hyperoxia (P less than 0.025 for 40% O2). This effect of CO2 increased from .00% to 15% O2 (P less than 0.05). These findings suggest: 1) CO2 interacts with O2 at the peripheral chemoreceptor level, and 2) because this interaction is more pronounced with hypoxia, the flatter CO2 response we observed with hypoxia was probably not mediated through the peripheral chemoreceptors and is likely to be central in origin.

Carbon Dioxide↗