Single vital capacity breath for preoxygenation.
OBJECTIVE
The report investigates, in awake patients before induction of anesthesia, the effect of preoxygenation by the single vital capacity breath technique following forced exhalation on the mean arterial PO2 (PaO2).


METHODS
In 10 adult patients undergoing elective surgery, the mean PaO2 values achieved 30 sec after preoxygenation by the single vital capacity breath technique was compared with the mean PaO2 values achieved by preoxygenation by the traditional tidal volume breathing for three minutes. Each patient served as her/his own control.


RESULTS
The mean PaO2 following the single vital capacity breath technique was higher (295 +/- 67 mmHg) than that achieved by the traditional tidal volume breathing technique at 30 sec and 60 sec, and was not significantly different from that achieved by the traditional technique after three minutes (307 +/- 70 mmHg).


CONCLUSIONS
The single vital capacity breath technique following forced exhalation can rapidly provide adequate preoxygenation within 30 sec.
Baraka
A
A
Department of Anesthesiology, American University of Beirut, Lebanon. abaraka@aub.edu.lb
Haroun-Bizri
S
S
Khoury
S
S
Chehab
I R
IR
D000368:Aged; D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood*; D014797:Vital Capacity
D010100:Oxygen