Rehydration of Desiccated Baralyme Prevents Carbon Monoxide Formation from Desflurane in an Anesthesia Machine

Abstract

Desflurane is degraded by desiccated Baralyme in an anesthesia machine, resulting in CO formation. Adding water to dried Baralyme is an effective means of reducing CO formation and the risk of intraoperative CO poisoning. Although demonstrated specifically for desflurane and Baralyme, rehydration is also applicable to enflurane and isoflurane, and to soda lime.