Effects of CO2 inhalation on cochlear blood circulation.

The cochlear blood flow was measured with the microsphere method before, during and after CO2 inhalation in anesthetized rabbits. Different gas mixtures and exposure times were used. The greatest increase of cochlear blood flow was measured after 5 min inhalation of 7% CO2 in air (115%) and the least increase (44%) in animals breathing 7% CO2 in oxygen. The difference is explained as due to a vasoconstriction caused by a high oxygen tension counteracting the vasodilating effect of CO2. The treatment with CO2 of supposed vascular diseases in the cochlea is discussed and the negative effects due to respiratory acidosis are emphasized.