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Originally published on the Vet Anaesthesia Tips blog. Scroll down for links to the whole series.
The oxygen flush valve delivers oxygen at high pressure (~400kPa) and flow rate (30 – 70 L/minute).
This oxygen comes directly from the oxygen cylinder or pipeline, so bypasses the anaesthetic agent vaporiser and gas flowmeters.
The oxygen flush valve is usually well marked, with “emergency O2” or simply “O2”. It is usually a large button that is either elevated or recessed.
It is often located next to the common gas outlet.
When the button is pressed, oxygen at a high pressure and flow rate will be delivered to the common gas outlet until pressure is removed from the button.
It can be used to rapidly purge the anaesthetic machine of any other gases and anaesthetic agents.
This is why it is often referred to as the “emergency” oxygen flush.
The oxygen flush valve should never be pressed when a patient it attached to the anaesthetic machine using a non-rebreathing system (e.g. Bain, Lack, T-piece). This is because this high pressure and flow of oxygen will be directly transmitted to the animal’s airways and lungs with the potential to cause barotrauma.
Use of the oxygen flow valve when a patient is attached by a rebreathing system (e.g. circle) is less likely to cause trauma if it is used carefully (e.g. only to fill up the rebreathing bag, or ventilator bellows). However, the risk of barotrauma still exists so this should be avoided where possible.
If you need to use the oxygen flush valve to purge the machine while a patient is attached, it is safest to simply disconnect the animal from the breathing system momentarily. If your reason for using the flush valve is to fill up the rebreathing bag or change the concentration of the anaesthetic agent in the system rapidly, consider whether this might more safely be achieved by turning up the oxygen flowmeter.
Next time: flowmeters…
Any questions for Jen? Ask them in the Comments section below…
Click here to read The Veterinary Anaesthetic Machine Made Simple: Part 1
Click here to read The Veterinary Anaesthetic Machine Made Simple Part 2: Gas Cylinders
Click here to read The Veterinary Anaesthetic Machine Made Simple Part 3: Pipeline Gas Supply
Click here to read The Veterinary Anaesthetic Machine Made Simple Part 5: The Oxygen Flush Valve
Click here to read The Veterinary Anaesthetic Machine Made Simple Part 6: Flowmeters
Click here to read Veterinary Anaesthesia – Vaporisers
Click here to read Benefits of using a co-induction technique in veterinary anaesthesia
Dr Jen Davis (@Dr GasVet) is a European Specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia. She is currently undertaking a PhD at Murdoch University, investigating the early diagnosis of acute kidney injury induced by anaesthesia-related hypotension. Jen also works part-time as registrar in veterinary anaesthesia at The Animal Hospital at Murdoch University, where she administers sedation, anaesthesia, and analgesia to all species of animal, as well as teaching undergraduate students and resident vets studying to become anaesthesia specialists. A summary of Jen’s research, and open access to her published work can be found on ResearchGate.
Connect with Dr Jen:
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