Oxygen Delivery Rates
Posted: Wednesday, August 17th, 2021 | Updated: Tuesday, March 26th, 2024
Posted: Wednesday, August 17th, 2021 | Updated: Tuesday, March 26th, 2024
FOR ANESTHESIA
Fresh Gas Flow Rates (Typically used for non-rebreathing systems)
Minute Volume x Circuit Factor = Fresh Gas Flow Rate
Example:
Patient weighs 2 kg with a respiratory rate of 24 bpm => the tidal volume will be 20 to 30 ml (2 x 10 ml/kg and 2 x 15 ml/kg) => the minute volume will be 480 to 720 ml/min (20 ml x 24 breaths/min and 30 ml x 24 breaths/min) => the patient will need a non-rebreathing circuit => T-Piece is chosen => Circuit Factor is 2-3 => The Fresh Gas Flow Rate will be 960 ml/min to 2,160 ml/min (480 ml/min x 2 and 720 ml/min x 3) => Divide by 1000 to get Liters/min => 0.96 L/min to 2.1 L/min which basically rounds to 1-2 L/min.
Rebreathing Circuit (Best option for larger patients)
10-40 ml/kg/min for maintenance, but usually not less than 1 ml/min.
Non-rebreathing Circuit (For smaller patients)
In general, fresh gas flow rates should not be below 500 ml/min or 0.5 L/min
Fresh Gas Flow Rates (Typically used for non-rebreathing systems)
Minute Volume x Circuit Factor = Fresh Gas Flow Rate
- Minute Volume = Tidal Volume x Respiration Rate
- Tidal Volume = 10-15 ml/kg
- Estimated minute volumes of 200 ml/kg/min may be used
Example:
Patient weighs 2 kg with a respiratory rate of 24 bpm => the tidal volume will be 20 to 30 ml (2 x 10 ml/kg and 2 x 15 ml/kg) => the minute volume will be 480 to 720 ml/min (20 ml x 24 breaths/min and 30 ml x 24 breaths/min) => the patient will need a non-rebreathing circuit => T-Piece is chosen => Circuit Factor is 2-3 => The Fresh Gas Flow Rate will be 960 ml/min to 2,160 ml/min (480 ml/min x 2 and 720 ml/min x 3) => Divide by 1000 to get Liters/min => 0.96 L/min to 2.1 L/min which basically rounds to 1-2 L/min.
Rebreathing Circuit (Best option for larger patients)
10-40 ml/kg/min for maintenance, but usually not less than 1 ml/min.
- Example:
- Circle, For patients weighing >10 kg, Suitable for IPPV
Non-rebreathing Circuit (For smaller patients)
In general, fresh gas flow rates should not be below 500 ml/min or 0.5 L/min
- Examples:
- T-Piece, For patients weighing <10 kg, Circuit Factor of 2-3, Suitable for IPPV
- Bain, For patients weighing >8 kg to <20 kg, Circuit Factor of 2-3, Suitable for IPPV
- Lack, For patients weighing >10 kg to <35 kg, Circuit Factor of 0.8-1
- Magill, For patients weighing >5 kg, Circuit Factor of 1
FOR NASAL CANNULAS
50-100 ml/kg/min
50-100 ml/kg/min
FOR HIGH FLOW OXYGEN
0.5-2 L/kg/min with the starting rate usually being 2 L/kg/min
0.5-2 L/kg/min with the starting rate usually being 2 L/kg/min
HOW TO READING OXYGEN FLOW RATE METERS
- For Bobbins => Read at the top, if there is a dot in the center, it's typically a safety feature and should be spinning when oxygen is flowing. Hence, if it is not spinning while in use, the bobbin may be stuck and troubleshooting should occur with the machine before use
- For Balls => Read from the center
Sources:
AAHA. www.aaha.org. Accessed 17 Aug. 2022.
Bassett, Rachel. "How Do I Set up the Anesthesia Machine? Arg!@!%&!^#." Vetgirl. 29 Mar. 2022. https://vetgirlontherun.com/webinars/march-29-2022-how-do-i-set-up-the-anesthesia-machine-arg/. Webinar
Ford, Richard B., and Elisa M. Mazzaferro. Kirk and Bistner's Handbook of Veterinary Procedures and Emergency Treatment. 8th ed., Saunders Elsevier, 2006.
The University of Bristol. "Selecting and Connecting Breathing Systems." 2020. https://www.bristol.ac.uk/media-library/sites/vetscience/documents/clinical-skills/Selecting%20and%20Connecting%20Breathing%20Systems.pdf
On The Job Training
AAHA. www.aaha.org. Accessed 17 Aug. 2022.
Bassett, Rachel. "How Do I Set up the Anesthesia Machine? Arg!@!%&!^#." Vetgirl. 29 Mar. 2022. https://vetgirlontherun.com/webinars/march-29-2022-how-do-i-set-up-the-anesthesia-machine-arg/. Webinar
Ford, Richard B., and Elisa M. Mazzaferro. Kirk and Bistner's Handbook of Veterinary Procedures and Emergency Treatment. 8th ed., Saunders Elsevier, 2006.
The University of Bristol. "Selecting and Connecting Breathing Systems." 2020. https://www.bristol.ac.uk/media-library/sites/vetscience/documents/clinical-skills/Selecting%20and%20Connecting%20Breathing%20Systems.pdf
On The Job Training