A method for producing normocarbia during general anasthesia for Caesarean section |
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Authors: | J.D. Kneeshaw FFARCS Senior Registrar P. Harvey FFARCS Consultant T.A. Thomas MB ChB FFARCS Consultant |
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Affiliation: | Anasthetic Department, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge;Anasthetic Department, Freedom Fields Hospital, Plymouth, Devon;Sir Humphry Davy Department of Anasthesia (Maternity), Bristol Maternity Hospital, Southwell Street, Bristol BS2 8EG. |
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Abstract: | Twenty-six patients were anaesthetised for Caesarean section using the Bain anaesthetic system for intermittent positive pressure ventilation. There was an inverse relationship between maximum end tidal carbon dioxide tension and the fresh gas flow (FGF) to the system. A significant difference existed between the patients receiving 80 ml/kg/min FGF and those receiving 120 ml/kg/min. Estimated carbon dioxide levels in the pregnant term patient were higher at each FGF rate than the levels reported in non-pregnant patients by other workers. In order to maintain maternal arterial carbon dioxide tension at or close to the normally quoted term value of 4.1-4.4 kPa, when using positive pressure ventilation with a Bain system, a fresh gas flow rate of at least 120 ml/kg body weight/minute is required. |
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Keywords: | Equipment breathing systems Anasthesia: obstetric |
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