Abstract
We present a case in which a dip in the capnogram of an anesthetized patient, which may indicate clinical complications such as spontaneous respiratory effort, was caused by a malfunction of the anesthesia delivery system. The rubber diaphragm of the ventilator relief valve was found to be coated with a sticky substance which may have caused adhesion at the valve seat. This adhesion blocked the flow ot excess gas to the scavenging system during exhalation. It was demonstrated that a pressure of 5 cm H2O was needed to overcome this adhesion.
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Hensler, T., Dhamee, M.S. Anesthesia machine malfunction simulating spontaneous respiratory effort. J Clin Monitor Comput 6, 128–131 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02828289
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02828289