Anaesthetic Gas Analysis
Sep 14, 2024How do you know how much oxygen the patient is really getting? ๐จ Or how much sevoflurane? ๐ How do you detect a circuit disconnection? โ ๏ธ Can you imagine how dangerous it would be if we didn’t have this information in real-time? ๐
We take it for granted, but that tiny little tube connected to the airway filter does a great job at keeping your patients safe! ๐ก๏ธ This is called a side stream analyser. It has an internal diameter of 1.2mm, is made to resist kinking, and does not react with anaesthetic gases. ๐ซ It carries the gas sample at around 100ml/min to the machine where it is analysed and presented on the monitor. ๐
This is what it tells you:
๐บ Gases (inspired and expired) ๐ฌ๏ธ
๐ Oxygen Concentration ๐
๐ Carbon Dioxide Concentration ๐ก๏ธ
๐ Volatile Anaesthetic Agent Concentration ๐งช
๐ Nitrous Oxide Concentration ๐จ
๐บ Machine problems โ๏ธ
๐ Detection of Circuit Leaks/Disconnection ๐จ
๐ Identification of Rebreathing ๐
๐ Mixed volatile detection ๐งฌ
๐ Hypoxic Mixture Alerts ๐
The modern anaesthetic machine uses a combination of gas analysis techniques to present real-time, essential information about your patient and your equipment. ๐ต๏ธโ๏ธ That tiny tube and its humble sampling chamber, along with a vigilant anaesthetic team, is just another reason why anaesthesia is so safe! ๐ก๏ธ
Build knowledge โ
Improve safety โ
Ref: J. A. Langton, A. Hutton, Respiratory gas analysis, Continuing Education in Anaesthesia Critical Care & Pain, Volume 9, Issue 1, February 2009, Pages 19–23, https://doi.org/10.1093/bjaceaccp/mkn048
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