Thermovent - Use in practice

RE: Thermovent - Use in practice

Susanna Taylor — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 12:23:54 GMT

Btw, they do just sit between the breathing system and ETT

also, you could argue there is no need of one if a circle circuit is being used in 'low flow' rebreathing mode as they do the same job

RE: Thermovent - Use in practice

Susanna Taylor — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 12:19:59 GMT

There is evidence in human paeds that they can increase temperature slightly, and certainly reduce/prevent losses from respiration. They are routinely used in all human anaesthesia as they can also be combined with bacterial and viral filters so prevent contamination of breathing systems and machines

Last time I checked there was no equivocal evidence published for veterinary but a study was started at the RVC by Robinson et al.

Chances are they have the same effect in veterinary patients. Certainly that they reduce losses abd maybe that they raise temp. The other important benefit is that they humidify inspired air which is certainly better for respiratory health, particularly in long ops where high flows or non rebreathing systems are used.

They should be single use only as the warm moist enviroment created in them is perfect for bugs to multiple. Disaster if patient is harbouring flu ot KC

There is a bit of a cross over with sizes and patient weights; generally I've stuck with a 10kg rule of the small ones for under and the bigger ones for over. If you use a capnograph, getting the ones with a port is certainly an advantage and reduces dead space from multiple adaptors.

Beware of using them with patients that have respiratpry secretions as they can become blocked with distasteorous consequences. Only other 'con' is additional cost really.

If you are going to use them routinely, look in to buying in bulk form intersurgical directly. Otherwise both JAK and ACE consumables sell them.

Hope helps :-)

RE: Thermovent - Use in practice

k.91 — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 21:04:03 GMT

We use thermovents regularly, i do think they are effective but as they are always used in conjuction with other heat devices its difficult to tell but psychologically i like having them.

We have 2 different types, one that comes in 2 different sizes for different tidal volumes and one that only comes in a smaller size but has a ETCO2 connection which i prefer.

we use a new one for each patient, you may be able to clean and reuse them but i imagine it would be a bit of a headache doing so.

They are dead easy to use, the only flaws i've seen with them is they can add a bit of drag to your circuit (which is easily solved) and they have interfered with the ETCO2 trace in the past. I personally only use them in smaller patients as standard. I've not had any issues with dead space.

contact smiths medical see if you can get a few to try.