Effect of rapid thoracic compression on the cerebral blood flow-velocity patterns of small infants.
We measured the middle cerebral artery (MCA) flow-velocities of 12 small infants (mean weight, 2,882 +/- 602 g) before, during, and after the rapid thoracic compression (RTC) maneuvers of partial forced expiratory flow-volume studies. Cerebral flow-velocities were measured using transcranial Doppler ultrasonography. RTC increased MCA end diastolic flow-velocities and Pourcelot indices of all infants (P less than 0.001). These values returned to baseline immediately after the release of chest compression. We also measured the MCA flow-velocities of several preterm infants during their normal daily activities. The changes in flow-velocity patterns observed during normal daily life were similar to those observed during RTC. These findings demonstrate that RTC produces real, but likely not pathologic, changes in cerebral blood flow-velocities.
Maynard
R
R
Special Diagnostic and Research Center, Children's Hospital of St. Paul, MN 55102.
Mammel
M C
MC
Holloman
K K
KK
Porter
S
S
Boros
S J
SJ
D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000502:physiology*; D005540:Forced Expiratory Flow Rates; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration; D011312:Pressure; D013909:Thorax; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography