title: Capnography for the nonintubated patient in the emergency setting.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Multiple studies illustrate the benefits of waveform capnography in the nonintubated patient. This type of monitoring is routinely used by anesthesia providers to recognize ventilation issues. Its role in the administration of deep sedation is well defined. Prehospital providers embrace the ease and benefit of monitoring capnography. Currently, few community-based emergency physicians utilize capnography with the nonintubated patient.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This article will identify clinical areas where monitoring end-tidal carbon dioxide is beneficial to the emergency provider and patient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Capnography provides real-time data to aid in the diagnosis and patient monitoring for patient states beyond procedural sedation and bronchospasm. Capnographic changes provide valuable information in such processes as diabetic ketoacidosis, seizures, pulmonary embolism, and malignant hyperthermia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Capnography is a quick, low-cost method of enhancing patient safety with the potential to improve the clinician's diagnostic power.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Health Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas.
authors.forename: Craig A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Manifold
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Davids
authors.forename: Lance C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Villers
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Wampler
mesh_terms: D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis; D001049:Apnea / Q000175:diagnosis; D019296:Capnography; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D061214:Patient Safety; D012143:Respiratory Physiological Phenomena
keywords: airway; capnography; patient safety