PULMONARY-FUNCTION IN ACUTE CERVICAL CORD INJURY

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Abstract
Measurements of pulmonary function were made on patients within 1, 3 and 5 wk and 3 and 5 mo. of spinal cord injury. In patients with functionally complete transection of the cord between cervical segment C5 and C6, the vital capacity was 30% of predicted in the 1st wk after injury. Patients with injuries at C4 had smaller vital capacities. A significant increase in vital capacity occurred within 5 wk of injury with an approximate doubling of vital capacity 3 mo. after injury. Expiratory flow rates were directly dependent upon vital capacity. There was a high incidence of arterial hypoxemia in the acute stage, even in patients with adequate ventilatory ability and normocarbia.