Open AccessPredicting cost of inhalational anesthesia at low fresh gas flows: impact of a new generation carbon dioxide absorbent
Author(s) -
Alastair E Moody,
Bryce D. Beutler,
Catriona E Moody
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
medical gas research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.52
H-Index - 24
ISSN - 2045-9912
DOI - 10.4103/2045-9912.285558
Subject(s) - isoflurane , desflurane , fresh gas flow , carbon dioxide , sevoflurane , anesthesia , medicine , environmental science , chemistry , organic chemistry
It is well known that low fresh gas flows result in lower cost of inhalational agents. A new generation of carbon dioxide absorbents allows low flow anesthesia with all anesthetics but these new compounds are more expensive. This study examines the cost of inhalational anesthesia at different fresh gas flows combined with the cost of absorbent. The cost of sevoflurane and desflurane is lower at low fresh gas flows. Paradoxically the cost of isoflurane is cheaper at 2 L/min than at lower fresh gas flows due to increased cost of carbon dioxide absorbent. Therefore low fresh gas flows should be used when feasible with sevoflurane and desflurane, but higher fresh gas flows up to 2 L/min may be more economical with isoflurane during maintenance phase of anesthesia.