Use of end-tidal CO2 tension to predict arterial CO2 values in isoflurane-anesthetized equine neonates

End-tidal carbon dioxide tension (PetCO2) and arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2) were determined and compared in isoflurane-anesthetized spontaneously breathing equine neonates. End-tidal carbon dioxide and PaCO2 values increased with respect to time. Difference between values of PetCO2 and PaCO2 increased over time. End-tidal carbon dioxide tension was useful to predict changes in and was more closely correlated with PaCO2 early in the anesthetic period (T less than or equal to 60 minutes). The dead space volume to tidal volume (Vd/Vt) ratio increased with respect to time, indicating increase in physiologic dead space in isoflurane-anesthetized foals. The data indicate that the increased difference between widening of the PetCO2 and PaCO2 values over time may have been attributable to hypoventilation and decreased pulmonary capillary perfusion of alveoli.