Wasted ventilation measured in vitro with eight anesthetic circuits with and without inline humidification

Compression of gases (Boyle's law) and circuit compliance are major determinants of anesthesia circuit function. The materials of which circuits are constructed and the use of heated humidifiers may result in clinically important variations in delivered minute ventilation (VE) secondary to variations in compression volume. We examined eight anesthetic circuits both with and without a heated humidifier in an in vitro setting. Compression volume was determined with a large calibrated syringe. Circuit efficiency was determined by measuring VE at multiple peak inflation pressures (PIP) while using a pediatric ventilator with fixed VE, respiratory rate, fresh gas flow, and I/E ratio. As expected, both compression volume and delivered VE highly correlated with the type of circuit and the pressure at which it was examined (P less than 0.001). Mapleson D circuits had the lowest compression volume and were the most efficient circuits (P less than 0.0001). Pediatric circle systems were intermediate and adult circle systems had the largest compression volume and were the least efficient. Humidifiers uniformly increased compression volume. The following conclusions were drawn: 1) the anesthetic circuit, its material, and the pressure at which it operates are important determinants of circuit function; 2) humidifiers increase compression volume; 3) Mapleson D circuits had the lowest compression volume and therefore were the most efficient; 4) highly compliant adult circuits may result in compression volume losses that exceed the tidal volume of a pediatric ventilator; 5) humidifiers with low volume and rigid tubing should have the least effect on minute ventilation; and 6) highly compliant adult circuits when used in the care of infants and small children must be used with caution.