Suzanne E Neumueller, Nicole Buiter, Grace Hilbert, Kirstyn Grams, Reiauna Taylor, John Desalvo, Grace L Hodges, Madeline M Hodges, Lawrence G Pan, Stephen J Lewis, Hubert V Forster, Matthew R Hodges
Synthetic opioids like fentanyl have improved the standard of care for many patients in the clinical setting, but their abuse leads to tens of thousands of overdose deaths annually. The current opioid epidemic underscores a critical need for insights into the physiological effects of fentanyl on vital functions. High doses of opioids in small mammals cause opioid-induced respiratory depression (OIRD) leading to hypoventilation, hypoxemia, and hypercapnia. In addition, opioids can also increase the alveolar to arterial oxygen (A-a) gradient and airway dysfunction...
2023: Frontiers in Physiology