Depressed central respiratory drive causing weaning failure. Its reversal with doxapram.
A patient failed to wean from mechanical ventilation. Her problem was unique in that she had a depressed central drive to breathe manifested by hypopnea when removed from the ventilator. After excluding the known problems that impair successful weaning, we empirically administered three separate infusions of doxapram, a respiratory stimulant. These infusions produced a dramatic improvement in spontaneous ventilation and led to successful weaning and hospital discharge.
Haake
R E
RE
Department of Internal Medicine, St. Louis Regional Medical Center.
Saxon
L A
LA
Bander
S J
SJ
Haake
R J
RJ
D004315:Doxapram / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012120:Respiration Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015300:Ventilator Weaning
D004315:Doxapram