Air-oxygen mixtures in circle systems.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of different air-O(2) mixtures and fresh gas flows (FGF) on the relationship between the delivered (F(Del)O(2)) and inspired O(2) fraction (FIO(2)) in a circle system.


METHODS
Randomized clinical study.


METHODS
Large teaching hospital.


METHODS
160 ASA physical status I, II, and III patients undergoing a variety of cardiovascular procedures with general endotracheal anesthesia.


METHODS
160 patients were randomly assigned to one of 20 groups (n = 8 each), depending on the combination of total FGF (0.5, 1, 2, 4, or 8 L/min) and air-O(2) mixture used (ratios of 4/1, 3/2, 2/3, or 1/4), corresponding to a F(Del)O(2) of 0.37, 0.53, 0.68, and 0.84. For each combination of FGF and air-O(2) mixture, FIO(2) after equilibration was compared with F(Del)O(2).


RESULTS
With any air-O(2) mixture with a FGF < or = 2 L/min, FIO(2) became lower than F(Del)O(2). Because FIO(2) decreased below 0.25 after 13 and 26 minutes in the first two patients of the 4/1 0.5 L/min air-O(2) group, this study limb was terminated.


CONCLUSIONS
When using air-O(2) mixtures in a circle system, FIO(2) becomes lower than the F(Del)O(2) with FGF < or = 2 L/min. The relative proportion of O(2) in the FGF has to be increased accordingly.
Hendrickx
J F
JF
Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Therapy, Onze Lieve Vrouwziekenhuis, Aalst, Belgium.
De Cooman
S
S
Vandeput
D M
DM
Van Alphen
J
J
Coddens
J
J
Deloof
T
T
De Wolf
A M
AM
D000388:Air; D000758:Anesthesia / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010100:Oxygen / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D010100:Oxygen