Preoxygenation with tidal volume and deep breathing techniques: the impact of duration of breathing and fresh gas flow.

UNLABELLED: Various techniques of "preoxygenation" before anesthetic induction have been advocated, including tidal volume breathing (TVB) for 3-5 min, four deep breaths (DB) in 0.5 min, and eight DB in 1 min. However, no study has compared the effectiveness of these techniques, assessed extending deep breathing beyond 1 min, or investigated the influence of fresh gas flow (FGF) in the same subjects using a circle absorber system. In 24 healthy adult volunteers breathing oxygen from a circle absorber system by tight-fitting mask, we compared TVB/5 min and deep breathing at a rate of 4 DB/0.5 min for 2 min at 5, 7, and 10 L/min FGF. Inspired and end-tidal respiratory gases were measured at 0.5-min intervals. During TVB, end-tidal oxygen (ETO2) increased rapidly and plateaued by 2.5 min at 86%, 88%, and 88% with 5, 7 and 10 L/min FGF, respectively. ETO2 values of > or =90% were attained between 3 and 4 min. Four DB/0.5 min increased ETO2 to 75%, 77%, and 80% at 5, 7, and 10 L/min FGF. Eight DB/min resulted in ETO2 values of 82% and 87% at 7 and 10 L/min, respectively. Extending deep breathing to 1.5 and 2 min with 10 L/min FGF increased ETO2 by > or =90%, although a decrease in ETCo(2) was noted. We concluded that TVB/3-5 min was effective in achieving maximal "preoxygenation" whereas 4 DB/0.5 min resulted in submaximal "preoxygenation," and thus should be used only when time is limited. Increasing FGF from 5 to 10 L/min does not enhance "preoxygenation" with either TVB or 4 DB/0.5 min. Deep breathing yields maximal "preoxygenation" when extended to 1.5 or 2 min, and only when high (10 L/min) FGF is used. IMPLICATIONS: Using a circle absorber system, normal breathing of oxygen for 3-5 min achieves optimal oxygenation of the lungs; whereas 4 deep breaths in 30 s does not. However, extending deep breathing to 1.5-2 min and using a high flow of oxygen improves oxygenation of the lungs to the same degree as normal breathing for 3-5 min. This may have important implications for patient safety.

Efficacy of preoxygenation with tidal volume breathing. Comparison of breathing systems.

BACKGROUND: Preoxygenation before tracheal intubation is intended to increase oxygen reserves and delay the onset of hypoxemia during apnea. Various systems are used for preoxygenation. Designed specifically for preoxygenation, the NasOral system uses a small nasal mask for inspiration and a mouthpiece for exhalation. One-way valves in the nasal mask and the mouthpiece ensure unidirectional flow. This investigation compares the efficacy of preoxygenation using the standard circle system with the NasOral system and five different resuscitation bags. METHODS: Twenty consenting, healthy volunteers were studied in the supine position for 5-min periods of tidal volume breathing using the circle absorber system, the NasOral system, and five resuscitation bags in a randomized order. Data were collected during room air breathing and at 30-s intervals during 5 min of oxygen administration. Inspired oxygen, end-tidal oxygen, and end-tidal nitrogen were measured by mass spectrometry. RESULTS: At 2. 5 min of oxygenation, end-tidal oxygen plateaued at 88.1 +/- 4.8 and 89.3 +/- 6.4% (mean +/- SD) for the circle absorber and NasOral systems, respectively. This was associated with inverse decreases in end-tidal nitrogen. At no time did these end-tidal oxygen or nitrogen values differ from each other. Three of the resuscitation bags (one disk type and two duck-bill type with one-way exhalation valves) delivered inspired oxygen more than 90%, and the end-tidal oxygen plateaued between 77 and 89% at 2 min of tidal volume breathing. The other two resuscitation bags (both duck-bill bags without exhalation valves) delivered inspired oxygen less than 40%, and the end-tidal oxygen values ranged between 21.8 +/- 5.0 and 31.9 +/- 8.7%. CONCLUSIONS: The circle absorber and NasOral systems were equally effective in achieving maximal preoxygenation during tidal volume breathing. Resuscitation bags differed markedly in effectiveness during preoxygenation; those with duck-bill valves without one-way exhalation valves were the least effective. Thus, the use of these bags should be avoided for preoxygenation.

Use of the self-inflating bulb for detecting esophageal intubation after "esophageal ventilation".

This present investigation tests the efficacy of the self-inflating bulb for detecting esophageal intubation after intentional "esophageal ventilation" to mimic gastric insufflation after bag-and-mask ventilation. In 72 anesthetized patients, the trachea and esophagus were intubated with identical tubes. The efficacy of the bulb was tested by a second anesthesiologist before and after the delivery of three breaths at a tidal volume of 300-350 mL each. The pressures generated by the bulb connected to esophageally placed tubes were measured in 10 patients. In all patients, the second anesthesiologist reported no reinflation of the bulbs when connected to esophageally placed tubes and instantaneous reinflation when connected to tracheally placed tubes, thus correctly identifying the location of each tube. The mean negative pressure generated when compressed bulbs were connected to esophageally placed tubes was 55.4 +/- 1.2 mm Hg before esophageal ventilation and 59.0 +/- 0.68 mm Hg after esophageal ventilation. We conclude that insufflation of the stomach as a result of esophageal ventilation, to the extent demonstrated in this study, does not interfere with the effectiveness of the bulb in differentiating esophageal from tracheal intubation.

Positive end-expiratory pressure increases intraocular pressure in cats.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of various levels of positive end-expiratory pressure on intraocular pressure in cats. Fourteen healthy adult cats (2.6 to 3.7 kg) without evidence of ocular disease were anesthetized with pentobarbital, paralyzed, and placed on mechanical ventilation. Direct continuous measurements of heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), CVP, CSF pressure, and intraocular pressure were recorded at zero end-expiratory pressure, and at 5, 10, and 15 cm H2O positive end-expiratory pressure, applied in random order. MAIN RESULTS: There were no significant changes in pHa, Paco2, HR, MAP, hematocrit, and temperature. Intraocular pressure increased significantly from 17 (during zero end-expiratory pressure) to 20 mm Hg at 10 cm H2O positive end-expiratory pressure; at 15 cm H2O positive end-expiratory pressure, intraocular pressure increased significantly to 21 mm Hg. CVP and CSF pressure increased significantly in parallel with intraocular pressure at 5, 10, and 15 cm H2O positive end-expiratory pressure. CONCLUSIONS: We speculate that similar responses occur in man, and may be undesirable in patients with already increased intraocular pressure, when higher levels of positive end-expiratory pressure are used.