Anaes Cases · The anaesthetic machine
Ventilator failure during surgery
The hot ventilator-failure case: early use of an alternative means of ventilation, then a check of the gas supply, breathing system and ventilator.
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Target exams
ANZCAFRCAABAEDAIC
Prompt
The ventilator bellows collapses and does not re-inflate during a general anaesthetic. The airway pressure is zero. The patient is not being ventilated. Manage.
Scenario
During a general anaesthetic under controlled ventilation, the ventilator bellows collapses and does not re-inflate. The airway pressure reads zero. The capnograph trace falls to zero. The oxygen saturation is 95 per cent and falling.
References2ShowHide
- [1]Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland (AAGBI), Hartle A, Anderson E, et al. Checking anaesthetic equipment 2012: association of anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland. Anaesthesia, 2012.PMID 22563957
- [2]Jain RK, Swaminathan S Anaesthesia ventilators. Indian journal of anaesthesia, 2013.PMID 24249886