Medical Gases - Carbogen

BOC Medical - Carbogen is a mixture of Carbon Dioxide and Oxygen. It is colourless and odourless. Carbon Dioxide is an inert gas and an asphyxiant in the absence of Oxygen.

Carbogen is supplied as a gas mixture at high pressure in metal cylinders. It vigorously supports combustion of many materials which will not normally burn in air.

Uses of Medical Gases - Carbogen:

5% Carbon Dioxide and Oxygen mixture is used in a number of medical situations. Administration is by mask or endotracheal tube.

It is used to stimulate respiration in situations such as the investigation and assessment of chronic respiratory disease, to stimulate breathing after a period of apnoea, and in the management of chronic respiratory obstruction after the obstruction has been relieved.

Carbogen is also added to a number of anaesthetic and oxygenation mixtures used under special conditions such as cardio-pulmonary bypass surgery and the management of renal dialysis.

Carbogen has also been used in the treatment of acute hearing loss. However, this remains unproven with studies demonstrating both positive and neutral effects.

Inhalation of Carbogen has demonstrated benefits in vascular dilatation and mucous clearance in COPD patients.