AMSORB reduces the compound A production in vitro and clinical results
A. Di Filippo, F. Marini, M. Pacenti, F. Forfori, F. Giunta, G. P. Novelli

At first we analytically determined compound A production in vitro following Sevoflurane interactions with Soda Lime and “Amsorb” (Amstrong) at room temperature and at 45°C.

The difference in compound A production after Soda Lime and Amsorb absorption is particularly evident at 45°C, compound A concentrations in Soda Lime being about ten times higher than in the Amsorb.

We also measured the time course of compound A concentrations in the inspiratory and expiratory branch of the anesthetic circuit during a general anesthesia at low flows (500ml/min) using as carbon dioxide absorbents Soda Lime (Acef) and the new Amsorb.

In the Soda Lime group we found compound A concentrations after 30 minutes from the start (3 ± 2 ppm in the inspiratory branch and 3 ± 1 ppm in the expiratory one). The maximum concentrations, after 3 hours of anaesthesia, were on the inspiratory branch 14,8 ppm and on the expiratory one 11,2 ppm. In the Amsorb group the maximum compound A concentrations after 2 hours of anaesthesia were 1,9 ppm in the inspiratory branch and 1,4 ppm in the expiratory one.

Keywords: anaesthesia, inhalation, compound A

Applied Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology 9: 103-106, 2000

A. Di Filippo, M.D.
Dipartimento di area critica medico-chirurgica
Università di Firenze
Italy