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Everything about Capnography
Monitoring of the concentration of carbon dioxide in respiratory gases
Capnography is the monitoring of the concentration or partial pressure of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the respiratory gases. Its main development has been as a monitoring tool for use during anesthesia and intensive care. It is usually presented as a graph of CO2 (measured in kilopascals, "kPa" or millimeters of mercury, "mmHg") plotted against time, or, less commonly, but more usefully, expired volume (known as volumetric capnography). The plot may also show the inspired CO2, which is of interest when rebreathing systems are being used. When the measurement is taken at the end of a breath (exhaling), it is called "end tidal" CO2 (PETCO2). Wikipedia →
🧭 Start here: a 6-step reading path
- Read the overview: CapnographyA 5-minute orientation
- Skim a recent paper: Temporal Trends in End-Tidal Capnography and Outcomes in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac ArrestInfluential work since 2022
- Pick up a classic book: CapnographyThe most-reprinted book on the subject
- Read the landmark paper: Evaluation of a Humidified Nasal High-Flow Oxygen System, Using Oxygraphy, Capnography and Measurement of Upper Airway PressuresCited 311 times
- Go sideways: Mechanical ventilationA closely related topic
- Go sideways: Modes of mechanical ventilationA closely related topic
📖 Definitions
Noun The monitoring of the concentration or partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the respiratory gases, generally during anesthesia and intensive care.
🗂️ The subject at a glance
🏆 Landmark papers (most cited)
Evaluation of a Humidified Nasal High-Flow Oxygen System, Using Oxygraphy, Capnography and Measurement of Upper Airway Pressures
Microstream Capnography Improves Patient Monitoring During Moderate Sedation: A Randomized, Controlled Trial
Nocturnal monitoring of home non-invasive ventilation: the contribution of simple tools such as pulse oximetry, capnography, built-in ventilator software and autonomic markers of sleep fragmentation
Prediction of Opioid-Induced Respiratory Depression on Inpatient Wards Using Continuous Capnography and Oximetry: An International Prospective, Observational Trial
Capnography during cardiac arrest
Continuous Pulse Oximetry and Capnography Monitoring for Postoperative Respiratory Depression and Adverse Events: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Capnography alone is imperfect for endotracheal tube placement confirmation during emergency intubation
A Single-blind Study of Combined Pulse Oximetry and Capnography in Children
🆕 Influential since 2022
Temporal Trends in End-Tidal Capnography and Outcomes in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest
The effect of capnography on the incidence of hypoxia during sedation for EGD and colonoscopy in mildly obese patients: a randomized, controlled study
Inhaled CO 2 Concentration While Wearing Face Masks: A Pilot Study Using Capnography
Role of continuous pulse oximetry and capnography monitoring in the prevention of postoperative respiratory failure, postoperative opioid-induced respiratory depression and adverse outcomes on hospital wards: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Capnography—An Essential Monitor, Everywhere: A Narrative Review
📚 Books worth reading
CapnographyJ. S. Gravenstein · 2004- 📕Capnography in the operating roomW. Samuel May, James E. Heavner · 1985
- 📕An atlas of capnographyB. Smalhout · 1975
Mastering infra-red capnographyZ. Kalenda · 1989- 📕Objective PET Teacher's BookletBarbara Thomas, Louise Hashemi · 2008
CapnographyJ. S. Gravenstein · 2011
Capnography in clinical practiceJ. S. Gravenstein · 1989
Ranked by number of editions on Open Library, a rough measure of how lasting a book is.
🔗 Related topics
- Mechanical ventilation Mechanical ventilation or assisted ventilation is the medical term for using a ventilator machine to fully or partially provide artificial ventilation…
- Modes of mechanical ventilation Modes of mechanical ventilation refer to the various mechanical ventilator strategies employed to deliver a breath in patients that require mechanical…
- Colorimetric capnography Colorimetric capnography is a qualitative measurement method that detects the presence of carbon dioxide (CO2, a relatively acidic gas) in a given gaseous…
- Respiratory compromise Respiratory compromise describes a deterioration in respiratory function with a high likelihood of rapid progression to respiratory failure and death.…
- Dead space (physiology) Dead space is the volume of air that is inhaled that does not take part in the gas exchange, because it either remains in the conducting airways or reaches…
- Tracheal intubation Tracheal intubation, usually simply referred to as intubation, is the placement of a flexible plastic tube into the trachea (windpipe) to maintain an open…
- Respiratory arrest Respiratory arrest is a serious medical condition caused by apnea or respiratory dysfunction severe enough that it will not sustain the body (such as agonal…
- Hypoxemia Hypoxemia (also spelled hypoxaemia) is an abnormally low level of oxygen in the blood. More specifically, it is oxygen deficiency in arterial blood. Hypoxemia…