Acta anaesthesiologica Scandinavica
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Aug 1989
Carbon dioxide distribution in Mapleson A and D systems: an experimental study.
The distribution of CO2 in the Mapleson A and D rebreathing systems was investigated experimentally during controlled ventilation and with the expiratory valve closed during inspiration. Maximal and minimal levels of CO2-concentration obtained from capnograms along the tubing were used to construct "gas profiles". For both systems, high tidal volumes and low fresh gas flows resulted in a high degree of gas separation with a pool of alveolar gas near the expiratory valve, and longitudinal gas mixing was minimal. ⋯ The end of the tubing nearest the patient was found to act as a reservoir for alveolar gas in the Mapleson A system and fresh gas in the Mapleson D system. Fresh gas utilization in the Mapleson D system was somewhat less efficient than in the Mapleson A system due to the fresh gas admixture to exhaled alveolar gas in the patient-near end of the tubing during expiration. The replacement of the usual expiratory valve of the Mapleson A system by a valve which is closed during inspiration makes the A system an alternative to the D system for controlled ventilation.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Aug 1989
Effect of sternotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass on airway pressures and respiratory mechanics during high frequency ventilation.
The airway pressures at ventilatory frequencies of 15, 60, 100, 120 and 150 breaths per minute were measured in eight adult patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Measurements were made perioperatively at four stages: precardiopulmonary bypass with the chest closed, precardiopulmonary bypass with the chest open, postcardiopulmonary bypass with the chest open and postcardiopulmonary bypass with the chest closed. In five patients thoracic compliance and airways resistance were also measured at these times. Neither sternotomy nor cardiopulmonary bypass made any significant difference to the airway pressures during normal and high frequency ventilation, nor were lung mechanics affected.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Aug 1989
Case ReportsFailure of a heat and moisture exchanger as a cause of disconnection during anaesthesia.
Two cases of ventilator tubing mishaps, resulting from defective heat and moisture exchangers, are described. The report emphasises the need for preoperative inspection of the anaesthetic machine and associated equipment as well as the importance of a disconnect alarm device.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Aug 1989
Reversal of profound paralysis: use of large doses of edrophonium to antagonize vecuronium and pancuronium induced neuromuscular blockade.
The ability to evoke reversal of dense vecuronium- and pancuronium-induced paralysis (T1 10% of control) with edrophonium 1.0 mg.kg-1 was studied using train-of-four nerve stimulation and electromyographic monitoring. Two different end-points, train-of-four ratios of 0.5 and 0.7, were used to define "adequate reversal", and the results for both relaxants were compared. ⋯ However, if the block was due to pancuronium, reversal was unreliable with 2 of 9 and 4 of 9 patients not achieving ratios of 0.5 and 0.7, respectively. Reversal was also markedly prolonged in this group with a mean time of 37 (23) min to achieve a ratio of 0.7, and in almost half these patients a supplementary dose of edrophonium was required.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Jul 1989
Removal of halogenated anaesthetics from a closed circle system with a charcoal filter.
Halogenated anaesthetics may be removed from a closed circle system by means of a charcoal filter. With this technique dispersion to the atmosphere and a possibly destructive effect of the halogenated volatiles on the protective layer of ozone is avoided. Removal of halothane or isoflurane with a charcoal filter was studied in a closed circle system connected to an artificial lung. ⋯ However, the slopes deviated significantly from the theoretically predicted slopes, possibly because of adsorption to hoses and bags and unequal distribution of the volatiles in the system. Halothane was eliminated more slowly than isoflurane. This study demonstrates that halogenated volatiles are eliminated in an exponential way following charcoal filtration and the rate depends on the ventilation and type of volatile.