Mw. Roberts et al., CARDIOPULMONARY RESPONSES TO INTRAVENOUS-INFUSION OF SOLUBLE AND RELATIVELY INSOLUBLE GASES, Surgical endoscopy, 11(4), 1997, pp. 341-346
Background: Carbon dioxide is the current gas of choice for pneumoperi
toneum, but hemodynamic and acid-base effects secondary to its systemi
c absorption have been reported. Various studies have suggested inert
gases as alternatives. Methods: We studied the cardiopulmonary respons
es to intravenous infusion of carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, argon, he
lium, and nitrogen in anesthetized swine. The gas was infused into the
femoral vein at a rate of 0.1 ml . kg(-1). min(-1) for 30 min. The ch
anges in end-tidal CO2, mean arterial pressure, hemodynamics, and arte
rial blood gases were compared to baseline values. Results: No animals
died during infusion of the soluble gases (CO2 and N2O). Three of the
five pigs infused with nitrogen died suddenly at 20 and 30 min of inf
usion. The animals in the insoluble gas groups (Ar, He, N-2) experienc
ed clinical pulmonary gas embolism and severe acidemia, hypercapnea an
d tachycardia. Conclusions: Venous gas embolism is poorly tolerated wh
en the gas is relatively insoluble. Insoluble gases should not be used
for pneumoperitoneum when there is any risk of venous gas embolism.