A Pilot Study to Evaluate the SMART BAG® : A New Pressure-Responsive, Gas-Flow Limiting Bag-Valve-Mask Device

Horst G. Wagner-Berger, MD, Volker Wenzel, MD, Wolfgang G. Voelckel, MD, Klaus Rheinberger, MSc, Karl H. Stadlbauer, MD, Ti lko Mu¨ ller, BS, Sven Augenstein, MD, Achim von Goedecke , MD , Karl H. Lindner, MD, and Christian Keller, MD
Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Leopold-Franzens-University, Innsbruck , Austria
(Anesth Analg 2003;97:1686–9)

In this study, we assessed the effects of a standard self-inflating bag compared with a new pressure-responsive, inspiratory gas flow-limiting device (SMART BAG®) on respiratory mechanics in 60 adult patients undergoing routine induction of anesthesia. Respiratory variables were measured using a pulmonary monitor. The SMART BAG ® resulted in significantly decreased inspiratory flow rate and peak airway pressure while providing adequate tidal volume delivery.