Single vital capacity breath for preoxygenation

Purpose: The report investigates, in awake patients before induction of ane sthesia, the effect of preoxygenation by the single vital capacity breath t echnique following forced exhalation on the mean arterial PO2 (PaO2). Methods: In 10 adult patients undergoing elective surgery, the mean PaO2 va lues achieved 30 sec after preoxygenation by the single vital capacity brea th technique was compared with the mean PaO2 values achieved by preoxygenat ion by the traditional tidal volume breathing for three minutes, Each patie nt served as her/his own control. Results: The mean PaO2 following the single vital capacity breath technique was higher(295 +/- 67 mmHg) than that achieved by the traditional tidal vo lume breathing technique at 30 sec and 60 sec, and was not significantly di fferent from that achieved by the traditional technique after three minutes (307 +/- 70 mmHg), Conclusion: The single vital capacity breath technique following forced exh alation can rapidly provide adequate preoxygenation within 30 sec.