Abstract
Purpose. CO2 absorbents convert sevoflurane to fluoromethyl-2,2-difluoro-1-(trifluoromethyl) vinyl ether (compound A), whose toxicity in rats raises concern regarding the safety of sevoflurane in a low-flow system. The type of CO2 absorbent is one of factors that affect compound A concentration in the anesthetic circuit. The aim of the present study was to investigate the concentration of compound A in an anesthetic model circuit following the use of different brands of soda lime and Baralyme.
Methods. We measured the concentrations of compound A in four different brands of CO2 absorbent using a low-flow (1 l·min−1 fresh gas) model circuit in which 2% sevoflurane was circulated. Sodasorb II, Baralyme, Sofnolime and Wakolime-A were used as CO2 absorbents. The concentration of compound A was measured hourly, and the temperature of the CO2 absorbent was monitored.
Results. The maximum concentration of compound A in the circuit was highest for Baralyme (25.5 ± 0.6 ppm) (mean ± SD), followed by Sodasorb II (18.9 ± 1.6 ppm), Wakolime-A (16.1 ± 0.7 ppm), and Sofnolime (15.8 ± 1.4 ppm). The maximum temperature was 50.8 ± 1.3°C for Baralyme, 48.8 ± 1.3°C for Wakolime-A, 47.0 ± 1.4°C for Sodasorb II, and 43.5 ± 3.9°C for Sofnolime.
Conclusion. The relative concentrations of compound A in the low-flow circuit were Baralyme > Sodasorb II > Wakolime-A = Sofnolime.
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Received: August 27, 1999 / Accepted: January 13, 2000
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Ikeuchi, Y., Bito, H., Katoh, T. et al. Quantification of the degradation products of sevoflurane using four brands of CO2 absorbent in a standard anesthetic circuit. J Anesth 14, 143–146 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s005400070022
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s005400070022