A Novel Anti-Pollution Filter for Volatile Agents During Cardiopulmonary Bypass: Preliminary Tests.
OBJECTIVE
Concerns regarding pollution of the operating room by volatile anesthetics and effects on atmospheric ozone depletion exist. Volatile agents commonly are used during cardiopulmonary bypass to provide anesthesia independent of any supposed myocardial protective effects. The authors' aim was to create and to assess the performance of a prototype filter for volatile agents to be connected to the cardiopulmonary bypass circuit to avoid the emission of volatile agents to the operating room, and also to the environment without causing damage to the membrane oxygenator.


METHODS
Observational trial.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
Prototype filter for volatile agents.


METHODS
The prototype filter was tested in a single ex vivo experiment. The main data measured during the test were pressure drop to detect interference with the performance of the oxygenator, back pressure to detect overpressure to the outlet gas jacket of the oxygenator, analysis of exhaled sevoflurane after the membrane oxygenator, and after the filter to detect any presence of sevoflurane.


RESULTS
The prototype filter adsorbed the sevoflurane eliminated through the outlet portion of the oxygenator. During the entire test, the back pressure remained constant (4 mmHg) and pressure drop varied from 243 mmHg to 247 mmHg.


CONCLUSIONS
The prototype filter was considered suitable to absorb the sevoflurane, and it did not cause an overpressure to the membrane oxygenator during the test.
Dante Pazzanese Institute of Cardiology, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Caetano
C
Nigro Neto
Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy. Electronic address: landoni.giovanni@hsr.it.
Giovanni
G
Landoni
Anesthesia and Intensive Care Department Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Maria Angela
MA
Tardelli
D061808:Air Filters / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008738:Methyl Ethers / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D009873:Operating Rooms / Q000379:methods; D010107:Oxygenators, Membrane / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000077149:Sevoflurane; D014835:Volatilization
D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D008738:Methyl Ethers; D000077149:Sevoflurane
air pollution; cardiac anesthesia; cardiopulmonary bypass; myocardial protection; volatile anesthetics