Anaes Cases · The anaesthetic machine
A stuck unidirectional valve — CO2 rebreathing
A focused case on the circle system's unidirectional valves: where they sit, why they matter, and how the pre-use check tests them.
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Prompt
During a general anaesthetic, the capnograph shows a rising inspired CO2 (the baseline is no longer flat). The soda lime is fresh. Discuss the diagnosis.
Scenario
During a general anaesthetic under a circle system, the capnograph shows a rising inspired CO2: the baseline of the trace is no longer flat. The soda lime canister was changed at the start of the list and its colour indicator still shows fresh.
References3ShowHide
- [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]Parthasarathy S The closed circuit and the low flow systems. Indian journal of anaesthesia, 2013.PMID 24249885
- [3]Goneppanavar U, Prabhu M Anaesthesia machine: checklist, hazards, scavenging. Indian journal of anaesthesia, 2013.PMID 24249887