Intermittent negative pressure ventilation may increase urine flow in normal subjects

In order to analyze the effect of intermittent negative pressure ventilation (NPV) on renal function, we studied 20 healthy male volunteers (mean age 29±4.1 years). NPV was performed with an "Emerson Chest Respirator Pump", adjusted to a breathing frequency of 10 respirations per minute, with inspiratory time/total respiratory time ratio of 0.4 and negative pressure of 25 cmH2O. The experimental protocol was carried out in two phases of two hours each - spontaneous breathing and NPV breathing. At the end of each phase, urine volume of the whole period was collected as well as venous blood sample for biochemical determinations. During NPV there was significant increase (P<0.05) in urine flow rate (1.43±0.81 to 2.76±1.95 ml/min) as well as in natriuresis (258±201 to 389±175 mcEq/min), kaliuresis (61±45 to 98±49 mcEq/min), fractional sodium excretion (1.38±0.88 to 1.96±0.98%), osmolar clearance (3.13±1.82 to 4.32±1.24 ml/min) and pH (7.37± 0.04 to 7.41±0.07) with unchanged creatinine and free water clearances. We concluded that NPV increases urine flow rate, kaliuresis and natriuresis but the data we have do not allow us to explain the mechanisms underlying such a phenomenon.