Anaesthetic drugs & techniques
Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Sevoflurane Outweigh Those of Carrier Gas and Carbon Dioxide Absorbers across the Fresh Gas Flow Spectrum
Authors' conclusion
When delivering sevoflurane in oxygen/air, the CO 2 e contribution of the carrier gas and carbon dioxide absorbent is less than 3%, even during closed-circuit delivery.
Study context
- Population
- ASA physical status I to III patients receiving constant end-tidal sevoflurane, first hour of anaesthesia
- Participants
- 132 participants · 3 studies
- Comparison
- Manual vs Target-controlled vs Closed-circuit
- Manualn = 50
- Target-controlledn = 48
- Closed-circuitn = 34
- Outcome
- CO2e emissions of sevoflurane, carrier gases (oxygen/air) and prepacked CO2 canister across FGF range
- Follow-up
- First hour of anesthesia
Methodological detailsmodelling of CO2e emissions, Sevoflurane consumption normalised to 1.3 and 2.0% FETsevo; carrier gas to inspired oxygen 30% and 60%; absorbent modelled for 130 and 160 ml/min CO2 output
- Modelling of CO2e emissions
- Sevoflurane consumption normalised to 1.3 and 2.0% FETsevo; carrier gas to inspired oxygen 30% and 60%; absorbent modelled for 130 and 160 ml/min CO2 output
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
Sevoflurane CO2e increases linearly with FGF, except with brief wash-in at FGF <1 l/min (range, kg CO2e)
2.4 to 18.6
Carrier gas CO2e decreases with lower FGF (more complex), increases with higher inspired oxygen (range, kg CO2e)
0.010 to 0.124
Absorbent CO2e decreases linearly with FGF (range, kg CO2e)
0 to 0.070
Original publication
Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Sevoflurane Outweigh Those of Carrier Gas and Carbon Dioxide Absorbers across the Fresh Gas Flow Spectrum. Anesthesiology. Published 29 September 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →