Abstract
We describe a new apparatus for non-invasive measurement of VO2 in intubated children receiving high inspired oxygen concentrations. The apparatus is a modification of the closed circuit system originally described by Engstrom et al (Acta Anesth Scand, 1961). It consists of a standard Emerson 3PV Pediatric Ventilator enclosed in an airtight chamber in series with an Ohio 822 dry rolling seal spirometer, which is employed as a gas reservoir for the chamber. A circulating motor that supplies continuous flow of gas to the patient allows the system to measure VO2 during spontaneous ventilation. A CO2 adsorber is placed in the expiratory limb of the ventilator circuit to eliminate CO2 from the exhaled gas. Oxygen uptake by the patient results in a net volume loss within the chamber, which is then replenished by the reservoir gas contained in the spirometer, this gas volume equaling the patients VO2. We measured VO2 in 3 critically ill children who were receiving narcotics and muscle relaxants. After administration of morphine sulfate, VO2 (cc/kg/min) decreased from 5.0±0.1 to 2.9±0.5 (x ± SEM). Our technique for measuring VO2 may be useful in the management of nutritional and circulatory problems in critically ill children.
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Schena, J., Thompson, J., Hershenson, M. et al. 207 A NEW TECHNIQUE FOR MEASUREMENT OF OXYGEN CONSUMPTION IN CHILDREN RECEIVING MECHANICAL VENTILATION AT HIGH INSPIRED OXYGEN CONCENTRATIONS. Pediatr Res 19, 145 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-00237
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-00237