Effects of adrenergic stimulation on ventilation in man

Abstract

A C T The mechanism by which catecholamines affect ventilation in man is not known. Ventilatory responses to catecholamines were observed in normal sub- jects before and after adrenergic receptor blockade. Intravenous infusions of norepinephrine and isoproterenol caused significant increases in minute volume and decreases in end-tidal Pcog which were blocked by the administration of propranolol, a beta adrenergic re- ceptor blocker. The hyperventilatory response to hypoxia was not altered by propranolol.