Detection of carbon dioxide in expired air after oesophageal intubation; the role of bystander mouth-to-mouth ventilation.
BACKGROUND
The identification of a correctly placed tube during anaesthesia routinely depends on the detection of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the expired air.


RESULTS
We describe a previously unreported cause of false-positive prediction in two patients with high initial values of CO2 in expired air after oesophageal intubation. Both patients had received bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation with mouth-to-mouth ventilation, and the CO2 from the rescuers' expired air was trapped and subsequently detected after oesophageal intubation.
Kramer-Johansen
J
J
Institute for Experimental Medical Research and Pre-Hospital Division, Ullevål University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. jo.kramer-johansen@medisin.uio.no
Dorph
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Steen
P A
PA
D000328:Adult; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001944:Breath Tests; D019296:Capnography; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000032:analysis*; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; D004947:Esophagus; D045853:Exhalation; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007440:Intubation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D018447:Medical Futility; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013270:Stomach; D013405:Suicide
D002245:Carbon Dioxide