Chest
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To evaluate the effect of neuromuscular paralysis on systemic and splanchnic oxygen utilization in patients in respiratory failure during controlled mechanical ventilation. ⋯ In critically ill patients in respiratory failure, neuromuscular paralysis decreased whole body oxygen consumption and increased pHi. Presumably, by eliminating the work of breathing, there is a redistribution of blood flow from the respiratory muscles to the splanchnic and other nonvital vascular beds.