[abstract] SUPPORT OF THE APNEIC PATIENT IN A MONOPLACE CHAMBER.

Abstract

The most significant problem with the use of the mono-place chamber in the treatment of critically ill patients has been the inability to support the patient who is apneic and/or requiring venafusions. At the Baromedical Research Unit, Long Beach Naval Hospital, the Vickers RHS/3 has been successfully adapted so life support functions can be maintained. A respirator connected to an independent oxygen source is mated through the chamber door and attached to a foam cuffed tracheostomy or endotracheal tube. An occlusive roller pump is utilized to maintain intravenous therapy and administer medications. By reversing the action of the pump blood samples can be drawn for laboratory determinations. Monitor-ing of physiological parameters such as EKG, EEG, and arterial pressures has been successfully accomplished for the past three years. With the utilization of these life support methods the monoplace chamber would appear to be the most effective means of delivering hyperbaric oxygen to critically ill patients. Materials and methods will be fully discussed with presentation of exact schema.