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PubMed · 11896372

Capnography: beyond the numbers.

Carol Rhoades·Frank Thomas
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Abstract

Detecting end-tidal pressure of carbon dioxide (PetCO2) is becoming increasingly common in the emergency transport setting. Several CO2 detection devices are suitable for emergency transport, including colorimetry, capnometry, and capnography. Capnography is the only device that displays a waveform of CO2 levels throughout the respiratory cycle. Analysis of this waveform is key to avoiding therapeutic errors. End-tidal PCO2 is best used for verifying endotracheal and nasal gastric tube placement and assessing the effectiveness of CPR. The use of capnography as a means of guiding manual or mechanical ventilatory therapy is unreliable in unstable, critically ill, or injured patients.

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CapnographyCarbon DioxideCardiopulmonary ResuscitationEmergency TreatmentHumansIntubation, IntratrachealMonitoring, PhysiologicUnited StatesJournal Article

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Carol Rhoades, Frank Thomas. Capnography: beyond the numbers.. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11896372/

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PubMed2006

The role of carbon dioxide detectors for confirmation of endotracheal tube position.

There is evidence that practitioners who are responsible for airway management at newborn resuscitations may place an endotracheal tube incorrectly with confidence. Moving on to the further stages of resuscitation, without managing the airway adequately, and commencing ventilation has the potential for significant harm to the baby. Because primary confirmation is fallible, there is a need for secondary confirmation of correct endotracheal tube placement and effective airway and breathing before moving on to cardiovascular support. Symmetric chest movement, auscultation, exhaled carbon dioxide (CO(2)), and an increase in heart rate have been suggested as providing secondary confirmation. Measurement of exhaled CO(2) is accepted widely as a standard of care in adult and pediatric intensive care and in anaesthetized patients.

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