The rubidium fractionation technique has been used to make comparative measurements of functional perfusion rates in the gastrointestinal tract of relatively undisturbed but fasted and anesthetized rats. The duodenum has the highest functional perfusion rate per unit mass of the entire digestive tract; the stomach is less than half as well perfused. The remainder of the tract to the rectosigmoid shows a progressive decrease. The small intestine shows a progressive increase in functional flow per unit mass from the pylorus to the ligament of Treitz and then a progressive decrease, most marked in the jejunum to the ileocecal valve. Blood flow values to other structures of the gastrointestinal tract are also given.

No abstract

The arterial blood gases were determined during forward acceleration 90∘ to the acceleration vector at 6 g and 8 g breathing room air and at 8 g breathing 100% oxygen. Arterial saturation fell to 84% at 6 gand 75% at 8 g. Prebreathing O2 for 15 min prior to acceleration with continued inhalation during the acceleration plateau only partially corrected the undersaturation to 86% at 8 g. Recovery was not complete in 3 min unless O g therapy was used. Whole blood carbon dioxide content was depressed at 6 g and 8 g on room air, but this was corrected by O g inhalation. However, during the recovery period while breathing oxygen the carbon dioxide content was depressed. pH was reduced and pCO g elevated slightly during each acceleration period. Since cardiac output and alveolar ventilation have been reported to be essentially unaltered during forward acceleration at these magnitudes, the observed effects must represent substantial alterations in the individual ventilation to blood flow ratios throughout the lung, with approximately 50% of the cardiac output shunted through totally nonventilated areas at 8 g. There also must be some inadequately perfused or nonperfused peripheral areas, as evidenced by the fall in CO g content and pH and the accumulation of a substantial O g debt previously reported during acceleration. Note: With the Technical Assistance of Alice M. Caton and Justin L. Taylor, Jr. Submitted on June 12, 1961

Pentalogy of Cantrell (PoC) is a rare congenital midline defect. We present a case and its treatment of PoC with complete ectopia cordis and congenital heart disease. Postnatally the congenital heart defect was surgically corrected and the ectopic heart was covered by musculous mobilized flap. Due to cephalic orientation of the heart and limited intrathoracic space, replacement of the heart into the thoracic cavity was initially not performed. After 11 years of follow up our patient now is without relevant limitations solely wearing a thoracic shelter. This case elucidates the complexity of further management. The potential risk of disastrous hemodynamic compromise by intrathoracic shift is to compare with the limited safety of the ectopic heart.