The Anesthesia Machine: Managing Exhaled and Waste Gases

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Jette

Effective and safe CO2 absorption is critical to the anesthesia circle system to prevent rebreathing and hypercapnia. Advances in the original soda lime–based absorbents and their container systems continue to improve patient safety, reducing the risk of compound A and carbon monoxide production, with seemingly little compromise to the efficiency of CO2 absorption capabilities. Scavenging systems and the removal of waste anesthesia gases remain a critical component to anesthesia care, and vigilance to maintain approved systems is a key to operating room staff safety. Advances in anesthesia machine design have resulted in more complicated internal breathing circuits that are increasingly difficult to rid of trace anesthetic gases. This inadvertently led to a necessary change in guidelines on anesthesia machine preparation for patients susceptible to malignant hyperthermia (MH).   This review contains 5 figures, 6 tables, and 59 references. Keywords: carbon dioxide absorption, carbon monoxide, CO2 absorption, compound A, malignant hyperthermia machine preparation, operating room safety, scavenging systems, waste anesthesia gases

1999 ◽  
Vol 91 (5) ◽  
pp. 1342-1342 ◽  
Author(s):  
James M. Murray ◽  
Craig W. Renfrew ◽  
Amit Bedi ◽  
Conor B. McCrystal ◽  
David S. Jones ◽  
...  

Background This article describes a carbon dioxide absorbent for use in anesthesia. The absorbent consists of calcium hydroxide with a compatible humectant, namely, calcium chloride. The absorbent mixture does not contain sodium or potassium hydroxide but includes two setting agents (calcium sulphate and polyvinylpyrrolidine) to improve hardness and porosity. Methods The resultant mixture was formulated and subjected to standardized tests for hardness, porosity, and carbon dioxide absorption. Additionally, the new absorbent was exposed in vitro to sevoflurane, desflurane, isoflurane, and enflurane to determine whether these anesthetics were degraded to either compound A or carbon monoxide. The performance data and inertness of the absorbent were compared with two currently available brands of soda lime: Intersorb (Intersurgical Ltd., Berkshire, United Kingdom) and Dragersorb (Drager, Lubeck, Germany). Results The new carbon dioxide absorbent conformed to United States Pharmacopeia specifications in terms of carbon dioxide absorption, granule hardness, and porosity. When the new material was exposed to sevoflurane (2%) in oxygen at a flow rate of 1 l/min, concentrations of compound A did not increase above those found in the parent drug (1.3-3.3 ppm). In the same experiment, mean +/-SD concentrations of compound A (32.5 +/- 4.5 ppm) were observed when both traditional brands of soda lime were used. After dehydration of the traditional soda limes, immediate exposure to desflurane (60%), enflurane (2%), and isoflurane (2%) produced concentrations of carbon monoxide of 600.0 +/- 10.0 ppm, 580.0 +/- 9.8 ppm, and 620.0 +/-10.1 ppm, respectively. In contrast, concentrations of carbon monoxide were negligible (1-3 ppm) when the anhydrous new absorbent was exposed to the same anesthetics. Conclusions The new material is an effective carbon dioxide absorbent and is chemically unreactive with sevoflurane, enflurane, isoflurane, and desflurane.


1998 ◽  
Vol 88 (1) ◽  
pp. 66-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiromichi Bito ◽  
Yukako Ikeuchi ◽  
Kazuyuki Ikeda

Background Sevoflurane anesthesia is usually performed with fresh gas flow rates greater than 2 l/min due to the toxicity of compound A in rats and limited clinical experience with sevoflurane in low-flow systems. However, to reduce costs, it would be useful to identify ways to reduce compound A concentrations in low-flow sevoflurane anesthesia. This goal of this study was to determine if compound A concentrations can be reduced by using soda lime with water added. Methods Low-flow sevoflurane anesthesia (fresh gas flow of 1 l/min) was performed in 37 patients using soda lime with water added (perhydrated soda lime) or standard soda lime as the carbon dioxide (CO2) absorbent. The soda lime was not changed between patients, but rather was used until CO2 rebreathing occurred. The perhydrated soda lime was prepared by spraying 100 ml distilled water onto 1 kg fresh soda lime, and water was added only when a new bag of soda lime was placed into the canister. Compound A concentrations in the circle system, soda lime temperatures, inspired and end-tidal CO2 and end-tidal sevoflurane concentrations, and CO2 elimination by the patient were measured during anesthesia. Results Compound A concentrations were significantly lower for the perhydrated soda lime (1.9 +/- 1.8 ppm; means +/- SD) than for the standard soda lime (13.9 +/- 8.2 ppm). No differences were seen between the two types of soda lime with regard to the temperature of the soda lime, end-tidal sevoflurane concentrations, or CO2 elimination. Compound A concentration decreased with the total time of soda lime use for both types of soda lime. The CO2 absorption capacity was significantly less for perhydrated soda lime than for standard soda lime. Conclusions Compound A concentrations in the circuit can be reduced by using soda lime with water added. The CO2 absorption capacity of the soda lime is reduced by adding water to it, but this should not be clinically significant.


2002 ◽  
Vol 96 (1) ◽  
pp. 173-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evan D. Kharasch ◽  
Karen M. Powers ◽  
Alan A. Artru

Background Consequences of volatile anesthetic degradation by carbon dioxide absorbents that contain strong base include formation of compound A from sevoflurane, formation of carbon monoxide (CO) and CO toxicity from desflurane, enflurane and isoflurane, delayed inhalation induction, and increased anesthetic costs. Amsorb (Armstrong Ltd., Coleraine, Northern Ireland) is a new absorbent that does not contain strong base and does not form CO or compound A in vitro. This investigation compared Amsorb, Baralyme (Chemetron Medical Division, Allied Healthcare Products, St. Louis, MO), and sodalime effects on CO (from desflurane and isoflurane) and compound A formation, carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) concentrations, and anesthetic degradation in a clinically relevant porcine in vivo model. Methods Pigs were anesthetized with desflurane, isoflurane, or sevoflurane, using fresh or partially dehydrated Amsorb, Baralyme, and new and old formulations of sodalime. Anesthetic concentrations in the fresh (preabsorber), inspired (postabsorber), and end-tidal gas were measured, as were inspired CO and compound A concentrations and blood oxyhemoglobin and COHb concentrations. Results For desflurane and isoflurane, the order of inspired CO and COHb formation was dehydrated Baralyme > soda-lime > Amsorb. For desflurane and Baralyme, peak CO was 9,700 +/- 5,100 parts per million (ppm), and the increase in COHb was 37 +/- 14%. CO and COHb increases were undetectable with Amsorb. Oxyhemoglobin desaturation occurred with desflurane and Baralyme but not Amsorb or sodalime. The gap between inspired and end-tidal desflurane and isoflurane did not differ between the various dehydrated absorbents. Neither fresh nor dehydrated Amsorb caused compound A formation from sevoflurane. In contrast, Baralyme and sodalime caused 20-40 ppm compound A. The gap between inspired and end-tidal sevoflurane did not differ between fresh absorbents, but was Amsorb < sodalime < Baralyme with dehydrated absorbents. Conclusion Amsorb caused minimal if any CO formation, minimal compound A formation regardless of absorbent hydration, and the least amount of sevoflurane degradation. An absorbent like Amsorb, which does not contain strong base or cause anesthetic degradation and formation of toxic products, may have benefit with respect to patient safety, inhalation induction, and anesthetic consumption (cost).


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Heiderich ◽  
Christian Thoben ◽  
Nils Dennhardt ◽  
Terence Krauß ◽  
Robert Sümpelmann ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Patients at risk of malignant hyperthermia need trigger-free anesthesia. Therefore, anesthesia machines prepared for safe use in predisposed patients should be free of volatile anesthetics. The washout time depends on the composition of rubber and plastic in the anesthesia machine. Therefore, new anesthesia machines should be evaluated regarding the safe preparation for trigger-free anesthesia. This study investigates wash out procedures of volatile anesthetics for two new anesthetic workstations: Dräger Atlan A350 and General Electric Healthcare (GE) Carestation 650 and compare it with preparation using activated charcoal filters (ACF). Methods A Dräger Atlan and a Carestation 650 were contaminated with 4% sevoflurane for 90 min. The machines were decontaminated with method (M1): using ACF, method 2 (M2): a wash out method that included exchange of internal parts, breathing circuits and soda lime canister followed by ventilating a test lung using a preliminary protocol provided by Dräger or method 3 (M3): a universal wash out instruction of GE, method 4 (M4): M3 plus exchange of breathing system and bellows. Decontamination was followed by a simulated trigger-free ventilation. All experiments were repeated with 8% desflurane contaminated machines. Volatile anesthetics were detected with a closed gas loop high-resolution ion mobility spectrometer with gas chromatographic pre-separation attached to the bacterial filter of the breathing circuits. Primary outcome was time until < 5 ppm of volatile anesthetics and total preparation time. Results Time to < 5 ppm for the Atlan was 17 min (desflurane) and 50 min (sevoflurane), wash out continued for a total of 60 min according to protocol resulting in a total preparation time of 96-122 min. The Carestation needed 66 min (desflurane) and 24 min (sevoflurane) which could be abbreviated to 24 min (desflurane) if breathing system and bellows were changed. Total preparation time was 30-73 min. When using active charcoal filters time to < 5 ppm was 0 min for both machines, and total preparation time < 5 min. Conclusion Both wash out protocols resulted in a significant reduction of trace gas concentrations. However, due to the complexity of the protocols and prolonged total preparation time, feasibility in clinical practice remains questionable. Especially when time is limited preparation of the anesthetic machines using ACF remain superior.


1997 ◽  
Vol 86 (5) ◽  
pp. 1061-1065 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pamela J. Baxter ◽  
Evan D. Kharasch

Background Desiccated carbon dioxide absorbents degrade desflurane, enflurane, and isoflurane to carbon monoxide (CO) in vitro and in anesthesia machines, which can result in significant clinical CO exposure. Carbon monoxide formation is highest from desflurane, and greater with Baralyme than with soda lime. Degradation is inversely related to absorbent water content, and thus the greatest CO concentrations occur with desflurane and fully desiccated Baralyme. This investigation tested the hypothesis that rehydrating desiccated absorbent can diminish CO formation. Methods Baralyme was dried to constant weight. Carbon monoxide formation from desflurane and desiccated Baralyme was determined in sealed 20.7-ml vials without adding water, after adding 10% of the normal water content (1.3% water), and after adding 100% of the normal water content (13% water) to the dry absorbent. Similar measurements were made using an anesthesia machine and circle system. Carbon monoxide was measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results Carbon monoxide formation from desflurane in vitro was decreased from 10,700 ppm with desiccated Baralyme to 715 ppm and less than 100 ppm, respectively, when 1.3% and 13% water were added. Complete rehydration also decreased CO formation from enflurane and isoflurane to undetectable concentrations. Desflurane degradation in an anesthesia machine produced 2,500 ppm CO in the circuit, which was reduced to less than 180 ppm when the full complement of water (13%) was added to the dried absorbent. Conclusions Desflurane is degraded by desiccated Baralyme in an anesthesia machine, resulting in CO formation. Adding water to dried Baralyme is an effective means of reducing CO formation and the risk of intraoperative CO poisoning. Although demonstrated specifically for desflurane and Baralyme, rehydration is also applicable to enflurane and isoflurane, and to soda lime.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 456
Author(s):  
Endang Yuliati ◽  
Hema Malini ◽  
Sri Muharni

<p><em><em>The use of the Surgical Safety Checklist (SSC) is associated with improving patient care according to nursing process standards includes the quality of work of the operating room nurse team. The form of professionalism in the operating room is how the application of a surgical safety checklist as the standard procedure for patient safety in the operating room. This study aims to determine the relationship of characteristics, knowledge, and motivation of nurses in the application of the surgical safety checklist in the operating room of a Batam city hospital. This research is quantitative using an observational analytic research design. This study was conducted on 67 nurses who were taken by total sampling. This research was conducted in three Batam City Hospitals, with hospital accreditation at the same level. Data were analysed by univariate and bivariate using the chi-square test. The results of the study found that most nurses had education at diploma level, with a working period experiences of &gt; 6 months (82%); good knowledge (53.7%) with low motivation (57.7%). There is a relationship between education (p = 0.042); length of work experience (p = 0.010); knowledge (p = 0.002); and motivation (p = 0.05) with the application of SSC. It is expected that health services carry out SSC following the applicable SOPs in the Hospital so that it can reduce work accident rates and improve patient safety.</em></em></p><p><em><br /></em></p><p><em>Penerapan Surgical Safety Checklist (SSC) berhubungan langsung dengan kualitas asuhan keperawatan yang termasuk adalah bagaimana perawat menerapkan fungsi sebagai bagian dari kamar operasi. Bentuk profesionalisme ini menjadi standar bagaimana kemampuan perawat menerapakan SSC. Tujuan penelitian adalah mengetahui hubungan karakteristik perawat, pengetahuan dan motivasi dengan penerapan SSC di kamar operasi. Penelitian ini menggunakan desain kuantitatif Cross Sectional dengan jumlah sampel 67 orang perawat kamar operasi. Data dianalisa dengan distribusi frekuensi dan uji hubungan bivariat. Didapatkan penerapan SSC perawat kota Batam masih kurang baik, dengan faktor yang mempunyai hubungan adalah Pendidikan, pelatihan dan pengetahuan. Diharapkan perawat mampu menerapkan SSC sesuai dengan Standar pelaksanaan fungsi perawat dikamar operasi.</em></p>


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