Vapor-Clean filters are now the standard of care when preparing an anesthesia machine for MH-susceptible patients or managing the anesthesia machine during an MH crisis.
The internal components of modern anesthesia machines capture and hold volatile anesthetics which are released when the machine is used for a new patient. Even trace amounts of vapor can be harmful for susceptible patients. Previously, flushing the anesthesia machine with high fresh gas flow for an extended time before a case was thought to help decrease the risk to susceptible patients. Now, in less than 90 seconds, Vapor-Clean activated charcoal filters reduce exposure to less than 5ppm of desflurane, sevoflurane and isoflurane molecules from reaching the patient for an entire case lasting up to 12 hours.
