Fraction of Oxygen on Induction of Anesthesia in Infants

Invesetigators evaluated the effect of positive end-expiratory pressure during anaesthesia induction on nonhypoxic apnoea time in infants. Invesetigators assigned infants to a 7 cmH2O positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) with fraction of inspired oxygen 80% or 0 cmH2O PEEP with fraction of oxygen 80% group. Anaesthesia was induced with 0.02 mg kg atropine, 5 mg kg thiopental sodium and 3 to 5% sevoflurane, and neuromuscular blockade with 0.6 mg kg rocuronium. Thereafter, 80% oxygen was provided via face mask with volume-controlled ventilation of 6 ml kg tidal volume, and either 7 cmH2O or no positive end-expiratory pressure. After 3 min of ventilation, the infants' trachea was intubated but disconnected from the breathing circuit, and ventilation resumed when pulse oximetry reached 95%.