The ideal oxygen/nitrous oxide fresh gas flow sequence with the Anesthesia Delivery Unit machine.

Study Objective: To determine whether early reduction of oxygen and nitrous oxide fresh gas flow from 6 L/min to 0.7 L/min could be accomplished while maintaining end-expired nitrous oxide concentration > or =50% with an Anesthesia Delivery Unit anesthesia machine.

Study Design: Prospective, randomized clinical study.

Muscle relaxation does not influence venous oxygen saturation during cardiopulmonary bypass.

Study Objective: To examine whether the omission of neuromuscular blocking drugs during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is associated with increased anesthetic requirements, higher frequency of intraoperative movements, and lower venous oxygen saturation (SvO(2)).

Design: Prospective, randomized study.

Setting: Large community hospital.