Effects of Fresh Gas Flow Rate on the Ratio of Expired to Inspired Anesthetic Concentration

Shin, Won Jung; Choi, Kyu Taek

Abstract

BACKGROUND: One way to make rapid increase in alveolar anesthetic concentration includes using high fresh gas flow rates. Fresh gas flow rates should be increased to compensate the amount of uptake either. This study was performed to elucidate optimal fresh gas flow rates for rapid induction by comparison of changes of ratio of expired to inspired concentration.
METHODS
The study population was composed of 107 patients undergoing thyroidectomy. Patients were randomly allocated to one of three groups who received desflurane or sevoflurane or isoflurane. Each group was randomly subdivided into three groups who received one of the fresh gas flow rate: 2, 5 or 10 L/min. Inspired anesthetic concentration (Fi) and expiratory anesthetic concentration (Fe), delivered concentration (FD) were recorded.
RESULTS
With same fresh gas flow rates, there were significant differences between Fe/Fi of desflurane, sevoflurane, isoflurane. With same anesthetics, Fe/Fi of desflurane and sevoflurane were not influenced by fresh gas flow rates. But Fe/Fi of isoflurane at 2 L/min was significantly lower than 5 L/min and 10 L/min. Fi/FD of desflurane at 10 L/min did not differ from sevoflurane. At 2 L/min and 5 L/min, Fi/FD of desflurane was highest and then sevofluane, isoflurane in that order.
CONCLUSIONS
Because rates of Fe/Fi of desflurane and sevoflurane were not influenced by fresh gas flow rates, 2 L/min of fresh gas flow rates could be selected. However, considering the wash-in time in circuit, optimal choice of fresh gas flow rate for desflurane and sevoflurane could be 5 L/min, that of isoflurane be 10 L/min.