VASG Reverse PEEP Valve

	Veterinary Anesthesia & Analgesia Support Group
	Practical Information for the Compassionate Veterinary Practitioner

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Reverse PEEP Positive Pressure Relief Valve

Dr. Bob Stein

Despite the fact that we may employ experienced anesthetist and despite the fact that we may employ pop-off occlusion valves on our machines, we remain very much human beings with the very real potential to err.

Normally, PEEP valves are configured to maintain a defined level of positive system pressure (positive end expiratory pressure) which can be beneficial to a certain number of patients while detrimental to others. When configured as shown above, as an attachment to a "T" adaptor within the anesthetic system, the PEEP valve allows gas to escape if pressures exceed the PEEP valve pressure rating.

You cannot create any harmful effect with this setup. It is mechanically impossible to place the PEEP valve on the "T" adaptor backwards but if you did, it would simply not provide the positive pressure relief that the setup was intended to provide; in other words, you are no worse off than you were without it.

To add reverse PEEP valves to your systems you need two inexpensive components: an adaptor "T" and a 20 cmH2O PEEP valve. Both components can be obtained through www.HALLOWELL.com. The total current cost for both components is under $30 USD.

We would like to acknowledge the superb anesthesia service at Michigan State University for making us aware of this simple safety device.

Parts Available Through Hallowell Engineering

Reverse PEEP on circle system.

Reverse PEEP on Bain Block with Bain noncircle system.

PEEP PN 242A1403

TEE PN 200A3707