Inhaled gases humidification and heating during artificial ventilation with low flow and minimal fresh gases flow.

Background And Objectives: Inhaled gas humidification and heating are necessary in patients under tracheal intubation or tracheostomy to prevent damage to respiratory system resulting from the contact of cold and dry gas with the airways. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of respiratory circle systems with carbon dioxide absorbers from Dräger's Cicero anesthesia machine (Germany) as to inhaled gases heating and humidification ability using low fresh gases flow (1 L min(-1)) or minimum flow (0.5 L min(-1)).