Journal Article

Role of cerebral blood flow in extreme breath holding

Maslov, Petra Zubin, MacLeod, David B., Madden, Dennis, Drviš, Ivan, Bain, Anthony R., Dujić, Željko, Hoiland, Ryan L., Ainslie, Philip N., Willie, Chris K.

2016

Overview

The role of cerebral blood flow (CBF) on a maximal breath-hold (BH) in ultra-elite divers was examined. Divers (n = 7) performed one control BH, and one BH following oral administration of the non-selective cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin (1.2 mg/kg). Arterial blood gases and CBF were measured prior to (baseline), and at BH termination. Compared to control, indomethacin reduced baseline CBF and cerebral delivery of oxygen (CDO ) by about 26% (p < 0.01). Indomethacin reduced maximal BH time from 339 ± 51 to 319 ± 57 seconds (p = 0.04). In both conditions, the CDO remained unchanged from baseline to the termination of apnea. At BH termination, arterial oxygen tension was higher following oral administration of indomethacin compared to control (4.05 ± 0.45 vs. 3.44 ± 0.32 kPa). The absolute increase in CBF from baseline to the termination of apnea was lower with indomethacin (p = 0.01). These findings indicate that the impact of CBF on maximal BH time is likely attributable to its influence on cerebral H washout, and therefore central chemoreceptive drive to breathe, rather than to CDO

• Publisher: De Gruyter,De Gruyter Brill Sp. z o.o., Paradigm Publishing Services
• Subject: Acidosis / Apnea / Blood flow / Carbon dioxide / Catheters / Cerebral blood flow / Cerebral oxygen delivery / Gases / Hypercapnia / Hypoxia / Indomethacin / Neurosciences / Oral administration / Oxygen tension / Prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase / Standard deviation / Veins & arteries