Resuscitation
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The formation of reactive oxygen species during reperfusion is one trigger for neuronal injury after global cerebral ischemia. Because formation of reactive oxygen species requires delivery of molecular oxygen to ischemic tissue, restricting inspired oxygen during reperfusion may decrease neurological damage. This study examined whether ventilation with room air rather than pure oxygen during resuscitation would improve neurological recovery after cardiac arrest in rats. ⋯ Neurological deficit scores did not differ between normoxia and hyperoxia conditions at any time point. The number of ischemic neurons in the hippocampus also did not differ between groups. These data indicate neither benefit nor detriment of reducing inspired oxygen concentration during resuscitation from asphyxial cardiac arrest in rats.