What are the Clinical Applications of ETCO2 Monitoring?
ETCO2 monitoring has several clinical applications: 1. Verification of Endotracheal Tube Placement: ETCO2 is used to confirm correct placement of an endotracheal tube during intubation. A sustained ETCO2 reading confirms that the tube is in the trachea. 2. Monitoring During Procedural Sedation: ETCO2 helps in early detection of respiratory depression in patients undergoing sedation. 3. Assessment of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR): During CPR, ETCO2 values can help gauge the effectiveness of chest compressions and predict return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). 4. Optimization of Mechanical Ventilation: ETCO2 is used to adjust ventilator settings to ensure adequate ventilation and prevent complications like barotrauma or volutrauma.
