Prospective analysis of cardiopulmonary responses to laparoscopic cholecystectomy

This prospective study evaluates the extent and temporal course of the cardiorespiratory effects of CO2 during laparoscopic cholecystectomy in otherwise healthy patients. Sixteen patients (M:F = 3:13, average age = 40.2 +/- 14.1 years) were monitored with capnography, transesophageal cardiac output, continuous blood pressure, heart rate, and pulse oximetry. Arterial blood gases were obtained immediately before insufflation of the abdomen with CO2 and before desufflation. Average operative time was 137 +/- 13 minutes. Patients were paralyzed and mechanically ventilated. Minute ventilation was increased if EtCO2 exceeded 45 mmHg or rose by more than 12 mmHg from baseline. End tidal (EtCO2) and arterial CO2 (PaCO2) increased from 31.4 +/- 0.7 mmHg to 42.1 +/- 1.6 mmHg and 33.3 +/- 0.7 mmHg to 43.7 +/- 1.2 mmHg, respectively, during the course of the procedure. Arterial pH decreased from 7.43 +/- 0.01 to 7.34 +/- 0.01, while bicarbonate concentration remained unchanged. Thirteen of the 16 patients required increased minute ventilation due to hypercarbia detected by capnography. Blood pressure increased from 78 +/- 2 mmHg (mean) at the start to 98 +/- 2 mmHg. This increase was coincidental with the maximal PaCO2. Good agreement was observed between paired EtCO2 and PaCO2 measurements. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy with carbon dioxide insufflation causes significant respiratory acidosis and associated cardiovascular changes in otherwise healthy patients. Careful monitoring and cautious application of this technique in patients with pre-existing cardiopulmonary disorders will be required to prevent acute decompensation.