Safe Use of CPAP and PEEP During Induction of General Anesthesia

Safe Use of CPAP During Preoxygenation and PEEP After Apnoea During Induction of General Anesthesia

The study compares the safety of using pressure controlled ventilation with a positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) during induction of general anaesthesia immediately after apnoea to a standard method starting ventilation manually without PEEP immediately after apnoea.

Using a continuous positive pressure (CPAP) during preoxygenation, followed by pressure controlled ventilation with PEEP after apnoea during induction of general anesthesia, might offer several benefits but safety issues needs more investigation. This study compares the safety of using pressure controlled with PEEP during induction of general anesthesia immediately after apnoea to a standard method starting ventilation manually without PEEP immediately after apnoea.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Normal or overweight patients scheduled for day case surgery in general anesthesia.
• American Society of Anesthesiologists functional class I-III.
• Body Mass Index 18.5-30.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Increased risk of regurgitation of gastric content.
• Symptomatic asthma, COPD or heart failure.
• Peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) breathing air <94 %
• Anticipated difficult airway.
• Beard.
• Anatomical features making it difficult to keep a tight seal during maskventilation.