Calculation of the fresh gas flow requirements of the Hafnia A and D anaesthetic circuits.

Semi-closed anaesthetic circuits are converted into the corresponding Hafnia circuits by replacing the expiratory valve by a side tube connected to an ejector flowmeter. Theoretical analysis of the Hafnia A and D circuits revealed by the fresh gas flow requirements are dependent on the inspiration/expiration time ratio. Using a ratio of 1/1.2 and a sine-wave respiratory waveform, the minimal fresh gas requirements were calculated as 2.1 (Hafnia A) and 2.5 (Hafnia D) times the respiratory minute volume. The fresh gas requirements are identical with spontaneous or controlled ventilation.