Breath Analysis during Artificial Ventilation: Volatile Substances in Exhaled Breath during i.v. Anesthesia and Sedation in the OR and ICU with propofol

摘要

Analysis of volatile organic compounds in exhaled breath is a non-invasive method that may provide diagnostic and online monitoring information. This approach offers the potential to improve management of ventilated patients during anesthesia and intensive care treatment e.g. by monitoring infused drug concentrations or diagnostic marker substances. In order to introduce this method to clinical practice suitable analysis and sensor technologies for the detection of volatile organic compounds especially at low concentrations (in the ppb range) have to be developed. However besides the exhaled drug or marker compounds other volatile substances present in breathing gas may possibly interfere with the use of a sensor or analysis system. In this study breathing gas samples were screened for their chemical composition during anesthesia and sedation with propofol in the operating room and the intensive care unit using gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Volatile substances in breathing gas were identified and classified based on their origin of release.