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Researchers complete first human trial on viability of enteral ventilation

(newatlas.com)
95 points mustaphah | 1 comments | 21 Oct 25 18:44 UTC | HN request time: 0.37s | source
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qlm ◴[22 Oct 25 01:10 UTC] No.45663839[source]▶
If this was enough to temporarily replace breathing I wonder how that would feel if you were otherwise healthy. I imagine not breathing would instinctively feel quite strange and even distressing.
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goodells ◴[22 Oct 25 01:27 UTC] No.45663938[source]▶
It would be quite distressing because of the accumulation of CO2 in the blood, even with completely adequate oxygenation delivered intrarectally. The slight change in acid-base balance is what makes a person feel the need to breathe, and CO2 is an acidic byproduct of metabolism. This is why people with metabolic acidosis (e.g. in diabetic ketoacidosis or sepsis) have an increased respiratory rate.
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1. dillydogg ◴[22 Oct 25 07:23 UTC] No.45665856[source]▶
In my thoracic surgery rotations in med school I was taught that the strongest stimulus for increasing the respiratory drive was the acidification of cerebrospinal fluid. Which, of course, correlates with the blood pH. This information comes from some studies in the 60s with goats, and the old guard are happy to hang their hat on it.

There are also chemoreceptors for oxygen concentration in the circulatory system as well.

I think everything you have said is correct, I just wanted to add a few more details for anyone who is interested.