Skip to main content

Planet-friendly low flow anesthesia!!!


What and why of low flow anesthesia...





Flow rates can be categorized into:
Metabolic flow: 250 ml/mn
Minimal flow: 250-500 ml/mn
Low flow: 500-1000 ml/mn
Medium flow: 1-2 L/mn
High flow: 2-4 L/mn
Super-high flow >4 L/mn

Advantages of low flow anesthesia:
-Anesthetic gases delivered using high FGF are usually dry and cold. Reducing FGF makes gases recirculating in the circle system more humid and warmer. This has A significant influence on the function and the integrity of the ciliated epithelium of the respiratory tract, prevent airway and bronchial drying during ETT use. It also helps maintain body heat and prevent postoperative shivering.
-Several studies prove that the use of low and minimal flow anesthesia techniques can dramatically reduce the (annual) costs of volatile anesthetics. Typically, the reduction of FGF from 3 L/min to 1 L/min results in savings of about 50% of the total consumption of any volatile agent. Reduced FGF releases a lower amount of anesthetic agents into the environment, resulting in less pollution. All gases delivered from the anesthesia machines are lost to the atmosphere. Halothane, Enflurane, Isoflurane contain chlorine. They are believed to have significant Ozone (O3) depletion potential.
-Relatively stable hemodynamic conditions during the process of surgery with closed-circuit anesthesia.
-Low expense.

Disadvantages of low flow anesthesia:
-Accidental hypoxia
-Hypercapnia
-Inadequate depth of anesthesia (Difficulty in changing the inspired anesthetic concentration rapidly due to the limited dial settings).
-Accumulation of potentially toxic trace gases
*Carbon monoxide accumulation: CO production comes from the contact of anesthetics with dry soda lime and gradual accumulation is due to difficult elimination under low flow. However, this is of no risk to the patient
*Accumulation of compound A: Compound A is derived from the contact of sevoflurane with soda lime. However, the highest value lies within the range determined to cause histological renal tubular damage in rats.
*Accumulation of methane
*Accumulation of acetone



Comments

Popular posts from this blog

power injectable peripherally inserted central catheters

Clinical experience with power injectable peripherally inserted central catheters in intensive care patients     Introduction In intensive care units (ICU), peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) may be an alternative option to standard central venous catheters, particularly in patients with coagulation disorders or at high risk for infection. Some limits of PICCs (such as low flow rates) may be overcome by the use of power-injectable catheters . Method We have retrospectively reviewed all the power injectable PICCs inserted in adult and pediatric patients in the ICU during a 12-month period, focusing on the rate of complications at insertion and during maintenance. Results We have collected 89 power injectable PICCs (in adults and in children), both multiple and single lumen. All insertions were successful. There were no major complications at insertion and no episodes of catheter-related blood stream infection. Non-infective complications ...

Falling from Height...The Prognostic factors

Falls from Height is Knwon to cause major morbidities and mortalities.  There are several prognostic factors for survival that have been identified: Height Age Type of surface Body part that touches the ground first Two other factors are important, but do not have a significant effect on mortality: Circumstances of the fall (suicide, accident, escape) Initial impact with an object before impacting the ground Height . Overall, about half of victims die at the scene, and a total of 70% die before they reach the hospital . The median height leading to death is about 49 feet, or about 4 to 5 storeys. 100% of victims die after falling 85 feet, or about 8 storeys. Age . Mortality increases with age due to pre-existing medical conditions and decreased physiologic reserve. Type of surface . The type of surface struck (i.e. grass, water, construction debris) can also have an effect on secondary injuries and survival. Mortality after striking a hard surface is nearly doubl...

Things to Avoid in Anesthesia for Pregnant with Pulmonary hypertension

Anesthesia for Pregnant woman with Pulmonary Hypertension is a real challenge for anesthesiologist. It is very crucial to remember the pathophysiology of pulmonary hypertension in pregnant women and to avoid some practices that will worsen the cardiac status. 1-Avoid single shot spinal anesthesia. Some authorities consider pulmonary hypertension as absolute contraindication for single shot spinal anesthesia specially in patients with NYHA III ,IV. Spinal anesthesia causes major hemodynamic instability(decrease SVR, decrease VR, decrease in CO) The preferred neuroaxial techniques are (epidural anesthesia and CSE with minimal spinal dose) 2-Avoid PAC. Pulmonary Artery catheters insertion may lead to pulmonary artery rupture or thrombosis. TEE is better cardiac monitor/Arteial line is mandatory. 3-Avoid Nitrous oxide in gas mixture.N2O increase the PVR 4-If MV to be started, avoid High TV and PEEP 5-Avoid Oxytocin Boluses, or rapid administration of Pitocin. Oxytocin causes ...