Capnographic Monitoring in Respiratory Emergencies

Children with respiratory diseases present commonly to the emergency department. As a continuous, dynamic measure of the ventilatory status, capnography can provide valuable information in the assessment and management of these patients. After a review of the relevant physiology and technology of carbon dioxide monitoring, clinical applications for the use of capnography in patients with respiratory illnesses are discussed. Characteristic waveforms are provided, and their interpretation and clinical significance are discussed. A focus on the current literature investigating the noninvasive monitoring of patients with obstructive lung disease is included. Practical tips for successfully using capnography are also presented.

Keywords: capnography, capnometry, ventilation, end-tidal carbon dioxide, respiratory illness, asthma