ETCO2 monitoring in ICU – capnography

ETCO2 monitoring in ICU – capnography ETCO2 monitoring in ICU – capnography ETCO2 monitoring in ICU – capnography: End tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) is the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (CO2) in exhaled air at the end of expiration. Normal values are in the range of 35 –  45 mm Hg. Carbon dioxide monitoring is also known as capnography. The graphical representation of CO2 is known as capnogram. In the monitor screenshot shown above, shown the capnogram at the bottom. Here the ETCO2 is shown as 28 mm Hg. It is below the lower limit and could be due to hyperventilation in a spontaneously breathing person. Respiratory rate drawn from the capnography is 29/min, which matches with the respiratory rate measured by transthoracic impedance monitoring in the second tracing from the top. Top most tracing is the electrocardiogram, which shows regular sinus rhythm at 83/min. Invasive blood pressure monitoring, usually with a cannula in the radial artery, shows a blood pressure of 116/68 mm Hg. The remaining tracing is of pulse oximetry which shows an oxygen saturation of 94%. Capnography is useful after endotracheal intubation to confirm the position of the tube in the trachea and is used routinely in most modern centres in the emergency department. ETCO2 monitoring is common place in the operating room and most of the state-of-the-art intensive care units. Capnography provides instantaneous information on ventilation, perfusion and cellular respiration, all ...
Source: Cardiophile MD - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: Cardiology Source Type: blogs