Anesthesia Machine Failure: A Case Study

This article examines successful management of an anesthesia machine failure with the Draeger (or Dräger) Apollo (Draeger Inc) anesthesia workstation. Approximately 45 minutes into the case, while the patient was under general anesthesia and mechanical ventilation, the anesthesia machine failed to achieve positive pressurization following a high-pressure alarm. Despite multiple maneuvers, the issue did not resolve until the machine was manually powered off and on at the main power switch. This case report emphasizes the importance of always having a backup means of patient ventilation and anesthesia administration.