Carbon monoxide re-breathing during low-flow anaesthesia in infants and children

LFA increased exhaled and inspired CO and increased COHb% in children <2 yr of age. Thus, LFA resulted in re-breathing of exhaled CO and exposure, especially in the youngest children. Re-breathing exhaled gas during LFA could pose a risk for an acute CO exposure in patients who have elevated COHb and high baseline levels of exhaled CO. If practitioners match or exceed minute ventilation with FGF to avoid LFA, CO re-breathing can be limited.