Effect of pentobarbitone on hypoxic ventilatory drive in man: Preliminary study

Abstract

Summary: The effect of an intramuscular injection of pentobarbitone 2 mg/kg on the hypoxic ventilatory drive was measured in 10 volunteers. Five subjects showed significant depression of the ventilatory response to hypoxia 30 min after administration. This depression persisted for 90 min. The other five subjects showed no change from control responses. The two groups appeared to differ in their levels of physical fitness as measured by differences in resting heart rate and maximal oxygen uptake. © 1975 Macmillan Journals Ltd.