[Effects of a respiratory analeptic with peripheral action-almitrine on ventilation immediately after surgery].

After a brief review of the advantages and disadvantages of the postoperative administration of a respiratory analeptic with a central action, the authors study the effects of almitrine (respiratory analeptic with a peripheral action) on alveolar ventilation following thoracic surgery. Two groups of 10 patients were distinguished: the patients of the first group received almitrine (1.5 mg/kg-1 over a period of one hour) thirty minutes after their return from the operating room, whilst those of the second group received no respiratory analeptic.