Preventive effect of a vasodilator on the occurrence of decompression sickness in rabbits.

The effect of terbutaline on the occurrence of decompression sickness was studied in seven rabbits. Terbutaline is a vasodilator, a sympathomimetic beta2-receptor stimulator. The rabbits were given a hyperbaric exposition at 2 ATA followed by oxygen breathing at 1 ATA and a hypobaric exposition at 0.2 ATA. Each rabbit got a hyperbaric exposition long enough for symptoms of decompression sickness to occur at the hypobaric exposition. With a time interval of at least 1 week, each rabbit received an identical pressure exposition, except that terbutaline was injected intravenously at the beginning of the denitrogenation period at 1 ATA. Of the seven experiments with the drug, only one case of decompression sickness occurred and with a delayed appearance. This may be compared to rapid-appearing decompression sickness in all cases in the control series. The results may be of importance in diving routines and, possibly, in the treatment of decompression sickness.