Chromatographic Analysis of Multiple Tracer Inert Gases in the Presence of Anesthetic Gases

Abstract

A gas chromatographic method for simultaneous analysis of multiple tracer inert gases in blood and expired gas samples is described. The method enables determination of the distribution of ventilation-perfusion ratios in the lungs during anesthesia with nitrous oxide and halothane. In addition, simultaneous analysis of anesthetic gas concentration in blood permits calculation of the amount of uptake or elimination of anesthetic gases from the Fick principle.