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Respiratory compensation during spontaneous ventilation with the Bain circuit
Canadian Anaesthetists' Society Journal
|March 1, 1980
Summary
Patients undergoing halothane anesthesia may rebreathe dangerous carbon dioxide levels. Increasing fresh gas flow rates (FGF) can prevent this risk by reducing carbon dioxide rebreathing during anesthesia.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Respiratory Physiology
Background:
- Rebreathing of carbon dioxide is a risk during anesthesia.
- The Bain modification of the Mapleson "D" circuit is commonly used.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure carbon dioxide rebreathing in patients under halothane anesthesia.
- To assess the impact of fresh gas flow rates (FGF) on rebreathing.
Main Methods:
- Studied spontaneously breathing patients under halothane anesthesia.
- Measured rebreathing volumes at various FGF rates using the Bain circuit.
Main Results:
- All adults rebreathed significant carbon dioxide at 100 ml.kg-1.min-1 FGF.
- Rebreathing led to unpredictable hypercapnia in some patients.
- Patient response to CO2 challenge can increase rebreathing.
Conclusions:
- Rebreathing poses a significant risk to all patients.
- High FGF rates are necessary to prevent dangerous hypercapnia.
- Current FGF recommendations may be insufficient.