Case Report about Co-Axial Circuit Causing Hypercarbia

Authors:

Iyer H*, Carney S, Vinayak K

Volume 2, Issue 1

Abstract

Bain Co-axial anesthesia circuits have been used to administer general anesthesia since 1972. Co-axial circuits have many benefits, however in current anesthesia practice they have one significant pitfall that is undetectable during automated machine checkout. Disconnection of the inner tube of a co-axial breathing circuit leading to hypercarbia and high inspiratory Carbon Dioxide can go unrecognized during machine checkout. We present an anesthetic case where immediately after induction of anesthesia, hypercarbia and high inspiratory Carbon Dioxide were recognized. Troubleshooting ensued and a proximal disconnection of the inner tube of the co-axial circuit was discovered. Prior to induction of anesthesia utilizing a co-axial circuit, visual inspection of the circuit integrity should be performed until technology advances and a method is developed to detect this type of disconnection.

Keywords:

Co-axial; Circuit; Hypercarbia

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