Rectal breathing: Ventilation alternative increases blood oxygen levels in pigs

Flushing trillions of tiny oxygen bubbles through the rectum increases blood oxygen in pigs and could be an alternative to ventilation for people with damaged lungs

By Michael Le Page

The injection of trillions of tiny oxygen bubbles into the rectum has been shown to raise blood oxygen levels and lower carbon dioxide levels in pigs whose lungs were damaged by smoke. The researchers are now seeking the go-ahead to do safety tests of the procedure in healthy volunteers.

The approach could help people, whatever the cause of their low blood oxygen. For instance, people with covid-19 often come into hospitals with very low oxygen levels, …