[Effect of short-term aerogenic hypoxia on the behavior of heart rate and blood pressure in newborn swine]

Abstract

The adaption of the cardiovascular system to hypoxia has been examined in piglets aged 3 to 81 hour. The reaction of the piglets to a shorttime normobaric hypoxia was very different: In 50% there was an inadequate reaction with decrease of blood pressure, heart rate, pulse pressure and therefore of stroke volume, in 30% there was in compliance with the adult mechanism a compensatory increase of blood pressure, heart rate, pulse pressure and stroke volume. Only in 2 cases a compensatory increase of blood pressure could be observed in combination with a simultaneous decrease of heart rate. The results refer once more to the fact, that the reactions of the cardiovascular system of the neonate to hypoxia can be very variable and require an individual therapeutic regime provided that they are transferable to the human newborn and premature baby.