End-tidal Carbon Dioxide for Diagnosing Anaphylaxis in Patients with Severe Postinduction Hypotension

ConclusionsIn case of severe hypotension after anesthesia induction, a low ETco2 contributes to the diagnosis of anaphylaxis, in addition to the classical signs of perioperative immediate hypersensitivity.Editor ’s PerspectiveWhat We Already Know about This TopicAnaphylaxis in the anesthetized patient can be challenging to diagnose as hypotension, the most common manifestation, has multiple causes postinduction. In addition to hypotension, low end-tidal carbon dioxide has also been suggested to be helpful in the diagnosis.What This Article Tells Us That Is NewFrom a retrospective single-center case-control study comparing low end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETco2) postinduction in hypotensive patients due to anaphylaxis compared to other causes, a low ETco2 contributed to the diagnosis of anaphylaxis. The results therefore suggest that in mechanically ventilated patients with severe postinduction hypotension, ETco2 should be considered as one of the means of distinguishing between anaphylaxis and other potential causes.
Source: Anesthesiology - Category: Anesthesiology Source Type: research