Fig. 3. Carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) formation and oxyhemoglobin (O2Hb) desaturation resulting from desflurane and isoflurane degradation by partially dehydrated absorbents. (Top and bottom ) Peak increase in COHb and peak decrease in O2Hb, respectively. Asterisks denote significant differences versus Amsorb®(P < 0.05). (Bottom, inset ) Actual O2Hb concentrations when Baralyme®was the absorbent. With desflurane and Baralyme®, actual O2Hb saturation decreased from 97% to 56%. With desflurane and “classic” sodalime, “new” sodalime, and Amsorb®, actual O2Hb saturation decreased from 97% to 94%, decreased from 97% to 96%, and was unchanged, respectively (not shown).