Reducing the Carbon Footprint of Anesthesia: Low-Flow Anesthesia and Other Techniques-Reducing the Carbon Footprint of Anesthesia: Low-Flow Anesthesia and Other Techniques

Reducing the Carbon Footprint of Anesthesia: Low-Flow Anesthesia and Other Techniques

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The August 2022 AANA Journal article emphasizes the significant impact of anesthesia practice on climate change, highlighting the role of volatile anesthetics as potent greenhouse gases (GHGs). These anesthetics possess up to 2,000 times the GHG potential compared to carbon dioxide, yet they remain unregulated. This oversight permeates the practice of over 30,000 Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) in the U.S., who often lack awareness of the environmental effects of their anesthetic choices.<br /><br />The article suggests that low-flow anesthesia (LFA) and total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) could substantially diminish the carbon footprint of anesthetic practices. The text reviews the environmental benefits of minimizing volatile anesthetic use, such as cost reduction, decreased postoperative complications, and reduced risk of malignant hyperthermia. The environmental damage of these anesthetics is primarily evaluated through their Global Warming Potential (GWP) and atmospheric lifetime, indicating significant ecological impacts.<br /><br />Scientific data confirms that anesthesia contributes notably to GHG emissions, with operating rooms generating a considerable portion of hospital waste. The GWP of commonly used anesthetics, such as desflurane, is particularly high. Comparisons reveal that the carbon footprint of inhaled anesthetics substantially outweighs that of propofol, a commonly used intravenous anesthetic.<br /><br />Moreover, the article details the principles and advantages of LFA, emphasizing significant reductions in anesthetic use and environmental contamination. However, it requires careful monitoring and is unsuitable in certain situations. Current technologies aim to capture and destroy waste anesthetic gases, but such innovations are not yet widely available in the U.S.<br /><br />The article calls for increased education among anesthesia providers about sustainability practices to mitigate climate impact. It also encourages exploration of greener anesthetic alternatives and highlights ongoing efforts to develop more sustainable technologies.

Keywords

anesthesia

climate change

volatile anesthetics

greenhouse gases

low-flow anesthesia

total intravenous anesthesia

global warming potential

sustainability

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists

environmental impact