Partial pressure of end-tidal carbon dioxide predicts successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the field.
Kolar and colleagues contribute an additional and important incentive for rescuers to utilize end-tidal carbon dioxide tensions as a routine monitor to guide management and decision-making during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. They conclude that below-threshold levels of 14 mmHg (1.5 kPa) measured after 20 minutes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation reliably predict that spontaneous circulation cannot be restored.
Weil
Max Harry
MH
Weil Institute of Critical Care Medicine, 35100 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270, USA. weilm@weiliccm.org
D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000032:analysis*; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000592:standards*; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests
D002245:Carbon Dioxide