Neuromuscular blockade enhances phrenic nerve activity during high-frequency ventilation.
Phrenic nerve activity was monitored in anesthetized cats during high-frequency ventilation (HFV). Rhythmic phrenic discharge disappeared during HFV in all animals at normal arterial PCO2 levels. Rhythmic activity returned after neuromuscular blockade in the vagally intact animal. Although vagotomy alone also restored phrenic discharge, this activity was further enhanced by subsequent neuromuscular blockade. Therefore we suggest that apnea during HFV results from inspiratory inhibition mediated by both chest wall and vagal afferent mechanisms.
D000818:Animals; D001049:Apnea / Q000503:physiopathology; D002415:Cats; D009407:Nerve Block; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010791:Phrenic Nerve / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012119:Respiration; D013997:Time Factors