title: Correlation Between Partial Pressure of Arterial Carbon Dioxide and End Tidal Carbon Dioxide in Patients with Severe Alcohol Withdrawal.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Respiratory depression is a common adverse effect of benzodiazepine administration to patients with severe alcoholic withdrawal. This study was conducted to assess the value of end tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) levels compared to partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2) levels in monitoring respiratory depression secondary to benzodiazepine treatment in patients with severe alcohol withdrawal.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively analyzed 36 patients admitted to the intensive care unit for severe alcohol withdrawal who had been administered sedative agents.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We observed a statistically significant correlation between PaCO2 and ETCO2 at time 1 (r=0.74, P<0.01) and time 3 (r=0.52, P=0.02) but not at time 2 (r=0.22, P=0.31).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study confirms a positive correlation between PaCO2 and ETCO2 levels in patients experiencing severe alcohol withdrawal.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Advocate Christ Medical Center, Oak Lawn, IL.
authors.forename: Tariq
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yousuf
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Advocate Christ Medical Center, Oak Lawn, IL.
authors.forename: Taylor
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Brinton
authors.affiliation: Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kramer
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Advocate Christ Medical Center, Oak Lawn, IL.
authors.forename: Basharath
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Advocate Christ Medical Center, Oak Lawn, IL.
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ziffra
authors.affiliation: Department of Research, Advocate Christ Medical Center, Oak Lawn, IL.
authors.forename: Dana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Villines
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Advocate Christ Medical Center, Oak Lawn, IL.
authors.forename: Poorvi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine, Advocate Christ Medical Center, Oak Lawn, IL.
authors.forename: Tabassum
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hanif
keywords: Alcohol withdrawal delirium; blood gas analysis; capnography; respiratory insufficiency