What can replace soda lime in anaesthetic systems?
Amsorb Plus serves as a cost-effective alternative to soda lime in routine clinical practice. Soda lime is a mixture typically comprising 80% calcium hydroxide and 20% sodium hydroxide, utilised to absorb carbon dioxide in basic metabolic testing and as a nitric oxide scavenger during inhaled nitric oxide therapy. However, as soda lime reacts with volatile anaesthetics to produce toxic compounds, Amsorb Plus avoids this issue but carries a higher price per unit weight. Studies indicate total costs over a four-week cycle for soda lime adsorbent and Amsorb Plus amount to €4,375.69 and €3,150.94 respectively. Amsorb Plus demonstrated a 28% reduction in usage costs, primarily attributable to: (1) decreased fluorane consumption; (2) reliable colour-change mechanism reducing replacement frequency; and (3) lower domestic waste disposal costs due to its inert properties.
